Switching From Note 5 To S8 Was The Upgrade Really Worth It For Samsung Users

For years, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 stood as a flagship powerhouse—offering premium build quality, a powerful Exynos processor, and one of the best displays on the market at the time. When the Galaxy S8 launched in 2017, it represented a dramatic shift in Samsung’s design philosophy. For loyal Note 5 owners considering the jump, the question wasn’t just about specs—it was whether the upgrade delivered tangible improvements in daily use. After analyzing performance data, user feedback, and real-world functionality, the answer isn't a simple yes or no. It depends on what you value most in a smartphone.

Design and Display: A Quantum Leap Forward

The most immediate difference between the Note 5 and the S8 is the design language. The Note 5, released in 2015, featured a sleek but traditional slab design with visible bezels, a physical home button, and a metal-and-glass body. While elegant, it quickly began to look dated by 2017 standards.

In contrast, the S8 introduced Samsung’s “Infinity Display”—a nearly bezel-less 5.8-inch Quad HD+ AMOLED screen that stretched edge-to-edge. This wasn’t just cosmetic. The taller 18.5:9 aspect ratio improved multitasking, enhanced media immersion, and made single-handed use more comfortable despite the larger screen.

Tip: If you frequently watch videos or read long articles, the S8’s taller display significantly reduces scrolling and improves viewing comfort.

The S8 also adopted an aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass 5 on both front and back, making it more durable against drops. However, unlike the Note 5, it lost the removable battery and microSD support (though some regional variants retained microSD). The trade-off? A slimmer, more modern profile with IP68 water and dust resistance—a feature absent in the Note 5.

Performance and Software: Smoother, But Not Always Faster

Under the hood, both phones used high-end hardware for their time. The Note 5 ran on either an Exynos 7420 or Snapdragon 808 (depending on region), paired with 4GB of RAM. The S8 upgraded to the Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835, with the same 4GB RAM configuration.

Benchmarks show the S8 outperforming the Note 5 by roughly 30–40% in CPU and GPU tasks. In practice, this translated to smoother animations, faster app launches, and better handling of graphically intensive games. However, because the Note 5 was already quite capable, many users didn’t notice a dramatic day-to-day speed improvement unless they were pushing their phone to its limits.

Where the S8 truly pulled ahead was software longevity. Launched with Android 7.0 Nougat, it received updates up to Android 9 Pie and security patches for three years. The Note 5, limited to Android 7.0 with no further major OS upgrades, began feeling outdated sooner—especially as newer apps optimized for later Android versions emerged.

“Even if raw power is similar, software optimization and update support can make a two-year-old phone feel obsolete.” — David Kim, Mobile Systems Analyst at TechPulse Asia

Camera Comparison: Subtle Improvements, Not a Revolution

The camera setup saw only minor changes. Both devices featured a 12MP rear sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus, f/1.7 aperture, and optical image stabilization. On paper, they’re nearly identical.

In real-world testing, the S8 showed slight improvements in low-light performance and dynamic range due to refinements in image processing algorithms and sensor calibration. Video recording also benefited from better stabilization and HDR support.

The front-facing camera, however, saw a more noticeable upgrade—from 5MP on the Note 5 to 8MP on the S8—with improved autofocus and wider field of view. This made selfies and video calls noticeably sharper, especially in dim lighting.

Feature	Galaxy Note 5	Galaxy S8
Rear Camera	12MP, f/1.7, OIS	12MP, f/1.7, OIS, Dual Pixel AF
Front Camera	5MP, f/1.9	8MP, f/1.7, Auto-Focus
Video Recording	4K @ 30fps	4K @ 30fps, HDR10 support
Low-Light Performance	Good	Very Good

User Experience: Features That Actually Matter

Beyond hardware, the S8 introduced several quality-of-life features that redefined usability:

• Face Unlock & Iris Scanner: While not as secure as modern Face ID systems, these biometric options offered faster access than PINs or patterns.
• Bixby: Samsung’s AI assistant debuted here. Though initially clunky, it laid groundwork for future voice integration.
• Always-On Display: Enhanced with more customization, allowing glanceable info without waking the phone.
• DeX Support (via adapter): A game-changer for productivity, letting users connect the S8 to a monitor for desktop-like experience.

However, the removal of the dedicated LED notification light and the relocation of the fingerprint sensor to the back (next to the camera) frustrated many Note 5 users. The awkward placement led to smudged lenses and slower authentication.

Mini Case Study: Maria’s Upgrade Journey

Maria, a freelance graphic designer from Austin, used her Note 5 for over two years. She loved its stylus for sketching but struggled with slow app switching and short battery life. After upgrading to the S8, she noticed immediate benefits: longer screen-on time, smoother Adobe Illustrator Draw performance, and the ability to mirror her phone to a TV via DeX for client presentations. However, she missed the removable battery and found the new fingerprint sensor frustrating. “It took me a month to stop trying to unlock it from the front,” she said. “But now I wouldn’t go back—the screen alone makes it worth it.”

Is the Upgrade Worth It? A Practical Checklist

Before deciding, consider your priorities. Use this checklist to evaluate whether the S8 delivers what you need:

1. Do you want a modern, immersive display with minimal bezels? → S8 wins
2. Is water resistance important for your lifestyle? → S8 adds IP68
3. Do you rely on frequent OS updates and long-term support? → S8 offers 3+ years
4. Are you invested in mobile productivity (DeX, multitasking)? → S8 excels
5. Do you prefer removable batteries or expandable storage? → Note 5 wins
6. Is stylus functionality essential? → Note 5 has superior pen experience

Tip: If you still rely heavily on S Pen features like Air Command or note-taking, consider waiting for a Note-series upgrade instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the S8 fix the Note 5’s battery degradation issues?

The S8 uses a non-removable 3000mAh battery, slightly smaller than the Note 5’s 3000mAh (but non-removable). Thanks to more efficient processors and software optimization, the S8 often achieved similar or better battery life. However, long-term battery health depends on charging habits—not just capacity.

Can I use my Note 5 S Pen accessories with the S8?

No. The S8 does not support the S Pen, so all stylus-dependent tools, cases, and apps requiring pressure sensitivity won’t work. If you own a lot of Note-specific accessories, this could be a dealbreaker.

Was the S8 safer after the Note 7 incident?

Yes. Following the Note 7 recall, Samsung implemented an 8-Point Battery Safety Check. The S8 passed rigorous testing and had no widespread battery issues, restoring consumer confidence in Samsung’s quality control.

Final Verdict: Who Should Upgrade?

For users who valued cutting-edge design, future-proof software, and multimedia experience, the switch from Note 5 to S8 was absolutely worth it. The Infinity Display, improved cameras, water resistance, and DeX support marked a clear evolution in Samsung’s vision.

However, power users who depended on the S Pen, microSD expansion, or removable batteries may have felt the upgrade came at too high a cost. The S8 wasn’t a direct successor to the Note line—it was a bold step toward a new smartphone paradigm.

If your Note 5 was struggling with performance, app compatibility, or battery life, the S8 offered meaningful relief. But if you were satisfied with your device’s functionality, the upgrade was more about aesthetics and convenience than necessity.

💬 Have you made the jump from Note 5 to S8? Share your experience—what surprised you, what disappointed you, and would you do it again?