Samsung's upcoming "Samsung Unpacked 2013: Episode 2" event exists for the sole purpose of unveiling the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and its "Galaxy Gear" smartwatch accessory.
Invites to the event, happening September 4 in Berlin, right before the kickoff of the IFA 2013 consumer electronics show, tipped off the fact that the South Korean mobile giant was going to unveil a new iteration of their Galaxy Note phablet lineup, asking journalists to "Note" the date:
On that date, we'll get all of the details on the new Galaxy Note 3 smartphone, but since it is difficult to wait, here is what we know, as well as rumors that are likely true, ahead of the unveiling next week.
First, we definitely know that on September 4, we'll see the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the Galaxy Gear smartwatch. Samsung executive vice president Lee Young-hee, who spoke about the unveiling to the Korea Times in an interview recently, has confirmed that. We also know, from VP Lee Young-hee, that flexible display technology is being worked on by Samsung, but that we shouldn't expect to see that on either device this September 4.
Other details about the device all come from leaks, which run the gambit from unreliable to almost certainly true. Here's the breakdown of which details - including specs and release dates - are probably true and which ones are on more shaky foundations.
First comes the display size and aesthetics of the device. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is very likely to be bigger than the 5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Exactly how big the screen is going to be is still up for debate. Several leaks, including an image leak by ETrade Supply, have put the Galaxy Note 3's display at 5.68-inches.
However, according to CNET, the co-CEO of Samsung, Shin Jong-kyun had previously told the Korea Times that the display would be a much larger 5.9 inches across. Samsung has reportedly several different developer models, so perhaps the device that ETrade Supply got its hands on was not exactly the model that will be released. However, Samsung's Shin Jong-kyun told the Korea Times about the device back in May, so perhaps decisions have been made since then putting it at a slightly smaller size. Multiple reports say the Samsung Galaxy Note 3's display will feature a 1,920 x 1,080p resolution. And definitely expect the Galaxy Note 3 to look much like its smaller co-flagship device, the Galaxy S4.
Other hardware specs have been leaked several times, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, which Samsung is expected to put in the first version of the Galaxy Note 3 available to purchase. Later, Samsung may begin producing variants with the Octa-core Exynos 5420, clocked at 1.8GHz, if leaks are correct. Other reliable specs include at least a 32GB and 64GB model, but there may not be a 16GB version, according to some leaks.
Many sources have said over the past few weeks that there will be 3GB of RAM in the device, but this would be a first for mobile devices. That doesn't mean it won't happen, but remember that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The camera will likely be a standard Samsung 13-megapixel shooter, and while some rumors had a new Optical Image Stabilization feature on the Note 3, recently it's been rumored that Samsung is putting it off until the Galaxy S5. Other rumors said that the Note 3's camera will have the capability to record 4K Ultra HD video, but that's an even more extraordinary claim with even less evidence going for it. Here's a sure-fire detail though: the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will definitely have Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out of the box.
What's left unknown? Plenty. Release dates have been speculated for mid-to late September. Earlier this week, Taiwan was rumored to be getting the international model of the device on September 27, meaning that many other world markets would as well. But an even more recent report from Friday, August 30, said that the U.K. would get the Galaxy Note 3 on September 16. But U.S. release dates are still unknown, and AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile are all mums the word. The other major thing left unknown is the price. The Galaxy Note 3 is expected to be about $250 with a two-year contract on the major carriers, but no exact details have been leaked or confirmed.
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