NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Samsung on Wednesday unveiled a new model of its Galaxy Note as it seeks to leave behind the debacle over exploding batteries in the previous generation of the device, and mount a renewed challenge to Apple and its soon-to-come iPhone 8.

Introducing the Note 8 “phablet” at an event in New York City, executives repeatedly thanked fans who had remained loyal to the device.

“None of us will ever forget what happened last year,” said Samsung president of mobile communications business DJ Koh.

“But, I will never forget how millions of dedicated Note loyalists stayed with us; so let me express my deepest gratitude.”

The South Korean giant laid claim to being the first smartphone maker to field a “phablet” device — combining features of smartphones and tablets — when it introduced the first Note five years ago.

Samsung did not disclose the price of the Note 8, which will hit shops on September 15 but will be available for pre-orders starting Thursday.

The website for major US retail chain Best Buy offered the Note 8 for $930 without any carrier subsidies.

Apple is expected to put a similarly high price a hotly-anticipated 10th anniversary iPhone believed to be on the horizon.

Note 8 features include dual cameras on the back, with improved image capabilities, and asignature “S Pen” for drawing or writing on touch screens.

“All in all, it was a good day for Samsung,” Moore Insights and Strategy analyst Patrick Moorhead said at the event.

“The Note 7 is clearly behind them and now it’s onto the future with the Note 8.”

The analyst depicted the Note 8 as Samsung’s  best opportunity in years to gain market share in the fiercely competitive premium smartphone market.