Samsung launches Galaxy Note 7 with IP68 certification

Galaxy Note 7 also sports an improved S-Pen, a 5.7-inch QHD screen and supports USB Type-C

The new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will offer the same IP68-certification as the standard Galaxy 7, enabling it to survive a modest drubbing, and will be available in the UK from 2 September.

The Galaxy Note 7 has the same metal and glass design as the Galaxy S7 and is 7.9-millimetres thick. In addition to the IP68 certification, the handset's screen can be controlled in wet conditions with the bundled S-Pen stylus.

The Android Marshmallow-powered Galaxy Note 7 will also be the first Samsung smartphone to come with an eye scanner, similar to that seen on Microsoft's Lumia 950. The system is compatible with Samsung's Knox security suite, while a feature called Samsung Pass enables authentication for services such as Samsung Pay.

The fingerprint sensor is still present, so users won't have to glare at their smartphone every time they want to use it.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has a 5.7-inch, 2560x1440 518 AMOLED screen with the same Edge functionality as the Galaxy S7 Edge.

The screen also offers support for Samsung's new S Pen stylus, which is twice as sensitive to pressure as its predecessor and comes with a slimmer tip for more precise note-taking. Perhaps the S-Pen's standout feature, however, is the ability to translate a word on the smartphone's screen simply by tapping it.

Samsung's 64-bit Exynos processor (or a Snapdragon 820 if you're in the US) is backed up by four gigabytes of memory and a beefy 3,500mAh battery with support for quick charging and wireless charging. The Galaxy Note 7 supports LTE Cat 9 speeds, and is the first Samsung smartphone with a USB Type-C connection in place of microUSB.

Things are similar to the Galaxy S7 when it comes to cameras. There's the same 12-megapixel dual-pixel rear-facing camera with image stabilisation and support for 4K video, and the same five megapixel camera on the front.

The Galaxy Note 7 will be made available in a 64GB model only, but a microSD slot will this to be expanded by 256GB.

The Galaxy Note 7 will be available in the UK in 'blue coral' and 'black onyx' from 2 September, with pre-orders kicking off today. A 'silver titanium' version will be available soon, according to Samsung.

Samsung also launched a new Gear VR headset alongside the Galaxy Note 7, which offers an improved 101-degree field of view and support for USB Type-C and microUSB connectors.