The number of samples mean the BSC will average 8 consecutive samples and use this average in the HO algorithms.
If there are too many neighbor cells, the MS might take too much time before detecting a new best neighbor. But it can still measure the 6 current neighbor pretty well and pretty fast. One fresh measurement sample per neighbor every 480ms. That’s the deal 🙂
Mr. Pan seems to know the inner mechanism of a MS rather well, perhaps he can add details ?