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Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Rumor Roundup: Release Date, Design, Specs

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The launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is one of the most anticipated launches in the history of Android as Samsung attempts to mirror the success of the original 5.3-inch Galaxy Note phablet that launched to much skepticism but ended up selling well over the last year.

Like any big name smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has seen its fair share of rumors emerge over the last couple of weeks in the build up to its eventual launch at an Unpacked event on August 29th.

Until then though, we’re stuck with rumors. And lots of them.

Over the last month or more, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has leaked out many times painting a vivid picture of what consumers should expect from the device that is part tablet, part smartphone.

So, we have taken it upon ourselves to round up all the Galaxy Note 2 whispers, whispers that encompass the device’s design, features, and specs.

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The Galaxy Note 2 is set to replace the original Note.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Launch Date

Fortunately, amidst all the rumors, Samsung has been kind enough to attach an official launch date to the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

The company sent out press invites to an Unpacked event, slated to take place on August 29th, just before the start of IFA in Berlin, Germany. At the time, the company made no mention of what product it would be announcing.

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Soon after though, Samsung spilled the beans and revealed that it would be announcing the next-generation Galaxy Note, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

This is a date that interested parties can circle in pen on the calendar. It’s a done deal.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Release Date

While the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 launch date is out in the open, the Galaxy Note 2 release date remains firmly hidden in the shadows leaving consumers and analysts to wonder when the company might end up releasing its latest smartphone.

Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Release Date: What Not to Expect.

Thus far, there have only been predictions as a rumored release date has not yet bubbled to the surface.

If the Samsung Galaxy S III launch is any indication though, Samsung might be launching the device just a few short weeks after the announcement making September a prime candidate for the Galaxy Note 2’s release.

Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Release Date: What to Expect.

Should that be the case, it will likely mean that the Galaxy Note 2 will go head-to-head with the iPhone 5 which is rumored to be launching on September 12th with a release date pegged for September 21st.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Design

Thus far, we haven’t seen a credible leak of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 itself leaving its shape and form to rumor. We did see a possible render leak out just a short time ago, though, that render leaked out before the launch of the Galaxy S III as the Galaxy S III.

The render, which showed an edge-to-edge display and a curved design, did however appear on Samsung Pakistan’s official Facebook page so there might be something to it, but at this point, we wouldn’t count on it.

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This render is likely not the Galaxy Note 2 in the flesh.

That being said, the Galaxy Note 2 is rumored to have a design that is similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy S III which sports major curves and a design that Samsung says is inspired by nature.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Display

One of the more intriguing parts of the original Galaxy Note was its display. Its display allowed for several different input methods, touch and with an S-Pen stylus, and it was massive sitting at 5.3-inches.

The Galaxy Note 2 will be building upon the original’s display and although we have some rumors, there is some conflicting information out there which has kept the Galaxy Note 2’s display a mystery.

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The Galaxy Note 2 is said to have a bigger display than the original.

First, we had heard that the device had a flexible AMOLED display. That rumor was soon dispelled and all rumors up until yesterday seemed to point to a 5.5-inch HD 720p display without Samsung’s new display technology.

Then, yesterday, the flexible display rumor popped up once again as another Korean publication claimed that it would indeed be on board the Galaxy Note 2.

If true, the Galaxy Note 2 itself won’t be flexible but the design of the display will allow for the company to put in a much larger battery without making the phone any thicker than the original.

The original Galaxy Note had less than adequate battery life so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Samsung put a bigger battery inside of the Galaxy Note 2.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Specs

As for the rest of the Galaxy Note 2’s rumored specifications, it’s said to include hardware that will make the original Galaxy Note look like small time.

The Galaxy Note 2 is rumored to have a quad-core Exynos processor, the Exynos 4412, which, according to benchmarks, will be clocked at 1.6GHz.

Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Features: What Not to Expect.

It has also been rumored to have 1.5GB of RAM and upgraded cameras with a rear camera that may be 12MP or 13MP in quality. The cameras on the original Galaxy Note were serviceable but with the release of the Galaxy S III and all of its camera features, its clear Samsung is putting an emphasis on cameras.

The Galaxy Note 2 is also rumored to feature 4G LTE data connectivity which would mean that it would be able to pull down speeds that reach up to 10 times faster than normal 3G.

Thus far, in the United States, we have yet to see a 4G LTE device paired with a quad-core processor but that could very well change with the Galaxy Note 2.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Software

Another big question mark for the Galaxy Note 2 is its software. Benchmarks have shown that the device was, at least as of a few weeks ago, running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Android 4.0, for those who don’t know, is old news in the world of Android.

At Google I/O 2012, Google introduced Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, its latest Android operating system which improves on Android 4.0 making devices faster, smoother and smarter.

It’s unclear if the Galaxy Note 2 will have Android 4.1 Jelly Bean on board when it arrives but many consumers are hoping that it does given the long wait times that often go with major Android updates.

Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Potentially Hobbled by Ice Cream Sandwich.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Carriers

Clearly, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2’s carriers remain unknown due to the fact that the Galaxy Note 2 announcement has yet to take place.

However, we made a few predictions about which carriers might get the Galaxy Note 2 here in the United States.

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The Galaxy Note was rumored for Sprint.

AT&T appears to be a sure thing given that it had the original Galaxy Note on its network. Sprint was rumored to be getting the Galaxy Note but never got it. That could change with the Galaxy Note 2. Verizon is a little more tricky as it is rumored to have a 5-inch HTC device on the way, but, the carrier knows demand is high and could opt to carry it.

Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Carriers: What to Expect.

As for T-Mobile, it just launched the original Galaxy Note and it doesn’t have a 4G LTE network as of yet. If it does get the Galaxy Note, don’t expect it to be available at launch.

While we can’t confirm anything, the fact that the Galaxy Note 2 launch event is taking place in Europe is a sign that the device will likely head to European carriers first and then, down the line, head to American carriers.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Price

Thus far, nothing about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2’s price has leaked out and it’s possible that we won’t hear anything about its price when Samsung announces it on August 29th.

Price usually varies on a carrier-by-carrier basis though we don’t expect carriers to charge much more than the $199.99 standard that generally accompanies new 4G LTE Android smartphones.

It’s possible that the Galaxy Note 2 could be more because of its unique qualities but the price of the Galaxy Note 2 remains to be seen.

11 Comments

11 Comments

  1. austin jensen

    08/09/2012 at 12:17 pm

    to be honest the note two will probally not run the 12 or 13mp camera. Look at the past and the rumor mills concerning the s3 to begin with and then looked what happened. and as for the jelly bean as usual if samsung is going to do what they have always done it will ship in ICS. Now that they are in court and obviosuly trying to crush apple as much as they can who knows they might just go for jelly bean on it but based on samsung and their history i doubt it and yet again as with the note we will be stuck waiting for months for the update. we shall see

    • Alex

      08/09/2012 at 1:49 pm

      Unlike you Samsung actually knows how to design smartphones. You don’t! so be quiet if you have nothing good to say about the Worlds Number 1 Smartphone company and the Galaxy Note 2 will destroy Apple’s pathetic iPhone 5.

  2. Mikee

    08/09/2012 at 2:27 pm

    Alex, are you 9 years old? Even if you are 3 times that age a 5.5 phone pressed against your ear will make your head look small, even if that phone came from the best phone maker on top of the world.

  3. Geoff

    08/09/2012 at 2:31 pm

    I just don’t understand why they would release in europe first. No disrespect intended, but isn’t the US market still a much bigger prize for Samsung than the european market? If they are serious about beating iPhone, they would start selling this thing as soon as they could (before the iPhone 5 comes out). This is a delicate time for iPhone, people are starting to wonder about this crazy new “android thing”. This is a golden opportunity to sell the Note 2 without any competition from the iPhone 5. If they really have a good product and pounce now, they could de-throne the mighty iPhone in a year or two. Don’t let the moment pass!

    • Tobi

      08/09/2012 at 5:16 pm

      I believe that the Galaxy Note had the biggest uptake in europe.. makes sense to me to look after your biggest fans first..

  4. Diem Tran

    08/09/2012 at 6:32 pm

    Samsung have made millions copying apple’s innovations and design, nothing but illegal nock of, everything that is Apple. They are not going to get away with it…!! Apple will win…!!

    • Andi54

      08/10/2012 at 1:44 am

      The truth and reality is, Apple stopped innovating years ago, and there wouldn’t be any competition if they had continued to push the envelope and carried on innovating instead litigating and bullying the everyone else. There is a very big difference, anyway, between innovating yourself and simply just buying small inventive companies, stealing their technology and then saying it’s yours i.e. the creators of SIRI… Android gives me choice, Apple dictates, of what I need. The difference between Google’s open source OS and CrApple’s walled garden…

      • Andi54

        08/10/2012 at 1:52 am

        The Galaxy Note 2 is probably too big for me personally, my GS3, is perfect for me, but for somebody else maybe it’s for them. Is better that I have choice of more than one handset a year and I can make phone my own software wise too…I honestly don’t see the point in comparing the 2 though OSs though. My Dad needs the idiot simplicity of Apple, I’m a tech-head, I don’t…

      • Diem

        08/10/2012 at 8:45 am

        Some people are so lucky to have the luxury of upgrading their smartphone twice a year……,, I feel so behind now, having my phone for a whole year…what is wrong with me….!!! Seriously I don’t understand why people are still comparing who make the better phone, it’s like comparing Coles or Woolworth, it’s not about that anymore. When Apple wanted Siri on their phone they paid hundreds of millions for it because that’s what you do, if you take someone’s idea to make financial gain, you have to pay the person or group that invented it. Simple and easy for the tech idiot who have no self respect implying that their own father is an idiot, come on…….have some class here…!!! Back to what I was saying….basically all the google android icecream sandwich cheese with butter whatever, all are just different variation of the iPhone and iPad….Also Samsung is bringing out their smart tv….wow didn’t see that coming, why does it sounds so similar to something else. Wait a minute…isn’t that another straight copy of the apple smart tv…!!!!!!! I’m telling you now, samsung will be force to pay apple. In conclusion, you don’t just copy someone else invention make millions from it and expect to get away with it..!!! No class what so ever.

        • Jonni

          08/15/2012 at 1:07 pm

          A tablet is a tablet. A phone is a phone. So are you saying Toshiba should pay Sony for making a laptop? Or vice versa? They’re devices, not brand names. So Samsung and other Android phone manufacturers are doing what companies have been doing since the beginning of their time.. COMPETITION. iOS or Android, don’t hate yo’. Android is way more complex than you think. You can do more than the iPhone as if right now. So he is no idiot. Callin’ an opposing-company user an idiot? No class? It takes one to know one.

          • Diem

            08/15/2012 at 7:49 pm

            That’s right, calling the opposing company user an idiot is just immature and stupid. Make your argument in a respective manner, he said that his father need the idiot simplicity of the apple iPhone and the he is a tech head, so who is the one calling the opposing company an idiot????
            read your material before making a comment….!! He put his father and apple down then call himself a tech head, and you support that…!!! Are all you tech head like that… ! So frustrating making argument people who are so inferior, nothing get through to them.

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