Galaxy Note 3 concept
The Galaxy Note 3 will be officially unveiled on September 4 during a special Samsung media event scheduled to take place in Berlin, Germany, a few days ahead of the IFA 2013 show.
As you expect, the web is filled with Galaxy Note 3 rumors and leaks, with more reports appearing day after day – even Samsung has mentioned the product’s name a few times on certain pages of its website. With less than three weeks to go, we're going to tell you what we think we know about the device based on these unconfirmed reports mixed with educated guesses on the matter.
While rumors about an upcoming device aren't always on the same page, we'll notice that in the past few months there were some very conflicting rumors out there regarding certain design aspects including screen size, and the kind of materials that will be used to build the handset.
That said, here's what we can expect from Samsung's upcoming flagship extra-large smartphone.
Design
The Galaxy Note 3 is expected to be somewhat similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 2. Some reports claim that the handset will have exactly the same size as its predecessor, but the display will be increased from 5.5-inch to 5.7-inch.
Purported Galaxy Note 3 sketch | Image Credit: Sim Only Radar
Based on what we’ve see from Samsung in recent years, we expect the Galaxy Note 3 to be slim and all screen (slim bezels that is). Furthermore, we expect round corners and a Home button to be found on the phone. An S Pen stylus should also be found inside.
Purported Galaxy Note 3 front panel
[Update August 27, 2013:] Images showing the alleged front panel of the Galaxy Note 3 have been leaked (see image above), and while they can’t be confirmed at this time, they’re certainly interesting. According to them, the Galaxy Note 3 will have slim bezels and will be similar in size with its predecessor, albeit we expect it to pack a bigger display.
Display size matters
Speaking of the display size, we'll remind you that early Galaxy Note 3 rumors claimed that the phone will have a 5.99-inch Full HD display.
But in the last few months we've heard time and again that the device will come with a 5.7-inch screen. At some point, we even seen reported evidence that suggested Samsung was testing three display sizes for the handset: 5.5-inch, 5.7-inch and 5.9-inch.
The most recent reports that have offered a more complete rumored specs sheet suggest the phone will come with a 5.7-inch (actually 5.68-inch to be more precise) display.
Purported Galaxy Note 3 Prototype | Image Credit: TechTastic
Too flexible or not too flexible?
Samsung was rumored more than once to consider launching the Galaxy Note 3 with a flexible display, but the rumors have been shot down by other reports claiming that Samsung isn't ready to mass-produce the necessary amounts of flexible displays for a handset that will most likely sell like hot cakes – even though it won't match Galaxy S4 sales.
Samsung has been teasing flexible displays for years now, and while the Galaxy Note 3 may not be the first device to get such a panel, there's a Galaxy Gear smartwatch in the works that could have such a screen. The Gear is also supposed to be unveiled on September 4, right alongside the new Galaxy Note model.
[Update August 27, 2013:] A Samsung exec has confirmed that the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear will be launched on September 4, adding that the Gear smartwatch will not pack a flexible display after all (something other recent reports have hinted at).
Plastic is still fantastic
In addition to flexible display rumors, we've seen plenty of rumors suggesting that the Galaxy Note 3 might come with a metal design – seen as Samsung's response to the competition's design advancements.
But then we've seen plenty of rumors saying that Samsung will still use plastic for the handset. Will a waterproof Galaxy Note 3 also be announced later this year to compete against Sony’s products? We wouldn’t be surprised to see it happen, considering that Samsung is known to make a phone for every need.
Show me the pictures
Unfortunately, while there were various leaks and alleged sketches of the Galaxy Note 3 in the wild (you can see some of them above and below), we don't have any confirmed images of the handset for you at this time.
In fact, considering all the aforementioned contrasting rumors, we'd have no idea whether to believe any of the leaks we've seen or not. From the looks of these rumors, Samsung kept changing its mind on the design of the phone – or didn't make up its mind until the very end; it's likely we'll never find out.
Galaxy Note 3 allegedly shown in leaked image | Image Credit: @PunkPanda
Phone versions
Various reports claimed that there will be a variety of Galaxy Note 3 models out there. Some said four, other said eight, while recent unconfirmed information provided indirectly by an Indian logistics site revealed that there may be quite a few different Galaxy Note 3 models out there (at least when it comes to model number).
No matter what Galaxy Note 3 versions you'll get – the model number for the Galaxy Note 3 family starts with SM-N900 – chances are the overall design will be the same, with internal components expected to differ, which is exactly what Samsung did with other flagship handsets in the recent past.
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