The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has finally arrived, and with it confirmation that Samsung has shaken off the Galaxy Note 7 's disastrous launch last year. The new Note 8 comes out swinging with a big, beautiful screen, meaty internal hardware and a sleek, professional design.

Forgive me for passing up the chance to beat the exploding battery joke into the ground. Let's get straight to the point: Samsung's once dominant flagship phablet is back after a two year hiatus.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 feels like a greatest hits for the Note series. It has every feature that made previous Notes worth buying and slams them into the new Samsung smartphone design ushered in by the Galaxy S8, but as a consequence doesn't feel particularly new or innovative compared to...

great battery; impressive screen; water resistant; great camera; great stylus; microSD card slot; wireless charging

only Android 7.0; no USB-PD; fingerprint scanner placement awkward; expensive; very big for pockets

Just weeks later, Samsung was forced to recall the smartphone after it was revealed, somewhat dramatically, that a dangerous battery flaw saw handsets explode, burn backsides and generally cause chaos on flights.

Eye-catching design, excellent display, performance and camera and, most important of all, it didn't go up in flames; Or, at least, it hasn't yet

Do you really need a device this big, that's awkward to operate one-handed? Bixby is also a work-in-progress and, oh, the price; The eye-watering price

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is a truly excellent phone - but unless you really need a stylus, there's little here to elevate over the similarly-superb Galaxy S8.

Excellent performance; Gorgeous screen; Camera quality is superb

Expensive; Troubling battery life

While it's large size means its audience is limited, those after a phablet-sized smartphone won't find a better device than this. The handset's 6.3in AMOLED Infinity display is stunning, its performance is unmatched and Samsung's improved S Pen - along with its nifty software tweaks and security...

Gorgeous design; striking display; incredibly powerful; S-Pen support; great camera(s); didn't explode

Bixby needs work; difficult to operate one-handed; the price

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 had a lot riding on it this year particularly since its predecessor – the Note7 – literally went up in flames a year ago. But the good news for the many fans of the Note brand is the Note8 has truly delivered.

When CRN USA reviewed Samsung's Galaxy S8 Plus in the spring, we described the device as the ultimate smartphone for multitaskers. But Samsung has now one-upped itself with the debut of the Galaxy Note 8 , which ships 15 September.

You can't say Samsung's Galaxy Note brand isn't resilient: even explosions and costly recalls couldn't dampen enthusiasm for the new Note 8. Phablet fans are dedicated, though, especially those who demand stylus support too, which means the Note 8 arrives with an audience of eager buyers waiting to...

Huge; beautiful display; Genuinely useful stylus; Excellent camera; Solid battery life

Prodigious price; Fingerprint scanner is awkwardly-placed; Bixby button is annoying

From the dual camera and S Pen, to the gorgeous Infinity Display, the Galaxy Note 8 is an all-around fantastic phone.

Good dual cameras; Daylong battery life; Speedy performance; Handy S Pen features; Waterproof

Expensive; Live Focus needs some work; Poor fingerprint sensor placement