Mobile
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Details Take Shape as Launch Date Approaches
With the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 launch date fast approaching, we wanted to touch on all of the news and rumors surrounding Samsung’s next-generation phablet.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is one of the most hotly anticipated smartphones of 2012. After the success that Samsung saw with the original 5.3-inch Galaxy Note, the company is expected to release a much-improved Galaxy Note that will take advantage of the latest in mobile hardware.
And while Samsung hasn’t revealed anything specific in terms of the Galaxy Note 2 itself, we have a pretty good idea about what to expect from the upcoming device that blends smartphone with tablet.
So, let’s take a look at everything Samsung Galaxy Note 2 including rumored features and release date in our final roundup before the device shows up on the scene later this month.
Read: 5 Best Upcoming Smartphones for 2012.
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Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Launch Date
Samsung has not yet introduced the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 to the world. However, it has given us a firm launch date for the device with a Samsung executive confirming the Galaxy Note 2 for an August 29th launch date.
That date comes just ahead of the IFA conference in Berlin, the same conference that Samsung used to announce the Galaxy Note 2 last year.
The Galaxy Note 2 will launch on August 29th.
On August 29th, we expect Samsung to announce the Galaxy Note 2, reveal its features and release date, and then let the press spend some time with it at the IFA conference which kicks off a day later.
We will be at IFA 2012 so we will providing detailed Galaxy Note 2 coverage from the ground.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Release Date
Samsung has not provided consumers with any concrete release date for the Galaxy Note 2 just yet. We expect the company to make the release date, at least the initial one, known at the launch event.
The release date given at the event will likely apply to Europe only.
Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Release Date: What Not to Expect.
The United States often lags behind other regions when it comes to major Android smartphone launches and the Galaxy Note 2, which is made by a Korean company, will likely be no different.
We don’t expect the device to get released on August 29th itself but we would be surprised if Samsung waits long to release it in its initial launch regions. The reason is, Apple is rumored to be launching the iPhone 5 on September 12th and releasing it on September 21st.
If Samsung does wait beyond the iPhone 5 launch, the Galaxy Note 2 could arrive as late as October.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Design
Thus far, we have seen numerous renders and images leak out, claiming to be the Galaxy Note 2. And thus far, none of those renders or images seem to be credible. So, unfortunately, that means that the Galaxy Note 2 design remains a mystery ahead of its launch.
The Galaxy Note 2 could be both thin and lightweight as well.
We have heard that it might take some qualities of the Samsung Galaxy S III in that it might have some curves and a design that Samsung will claim is inspired by nature but thus far, that’s all we have to go on.
The international version included a home button while the U.S. model did not but because the Samsung Galaxy S III design was universal this year, we could see the same model launch in the U.S. and in other regions around the world.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Display
One of the most rumored aspects of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has been its display. But while rumors have differed in terms of the type of display, they do seem to agree on one thing:
Samsung will likely increase the size of the Galaxy Note 2 display beyond the original 5.3-inch display found on the previous Galaxy Note.
Rumor has it, the display on the Galaxy Note 2 will be 5.5-inches and will be Super AMOLED HD in nature. Benchmarks point to a 1280 x 720 resolution display.
Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Features: What Not to Expect.
Reports have been in dispute over the type of the display though. While MK Business News claimed that the Galaxy Note 2 would have a regular old AMOLED display, Korea IT Times has said that the device will have a flexible OLED display which will allow for Samsung to put in a bigger battery.
Battery life was one of the major pitfalls of the original Galaxy Note so it would make sense that the company wants to do everything it can to improve in that area.
We don’t, however, expect the Galaxy Note 2 itself to be flexible in nature.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Specs
A series of leaks seemingly confirmed several other specifications that may or may not be on board the new Galaxy Note 2 handset.
The S-Pen will likely be back with the Galaxy Note 2.
The Galaxy Note 2 is supposedly going to have 1.5GB to 2GB of RAM, upgraded cameras – possibly higher than 8MP, and 4G LTE data speeds which will allow the device to pull down data speeds 10 times faster than normal 3G.
We imagine that it will come with multiple storage options as well, possibly following the Galaxy S III’s footsteps. The Galaxy S III is available in 16GB and 32GB form and the 64GB model is coming later this year.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Software
Right now, one of the biggest question marks about the Galaxy Note 2 is what operating system it will have on board when it arrives later on this month.
Several leaks have pointed to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as being the on board operating system though with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean currently rolling out to devices, it’s possible that Samsung could upgrade it before launch.
Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 ICS Could Spell Trouble for Galaxy Note 2.
If it doesn’t, consumers will have to wait for Samsung to prepare and roll out Jelly Bean for the Galaxy Note 2, a process that could take months.
The Galaxy Note 2 will likely come with some unique applications that take advantage of its S-Pen stylus though none of those have been revealed just yet.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Carriers
Obviously, there have been no carrier leaks just yet though we have made some educated predictions about what could happen here in the United States when the Galaxy Note 2 arrives.
- AT&T: It carried the original Galaxy Note, so it will likely carry the Galaxy Note 2.
- Sprint: Sprint was rumored to be getting the Galaxy Note, and with a 4G LTE network finally in place, chances are, it will get the Galaxy Note 2.
- T-Mobile: It just launched the original Galaxy Note and without a 4G LTE network, prospects for the Galaxy Note 2 look bleak.
- Verizon: With the biggest 4G LTE network, Verizon seems like a likely destination for the Galaxy Note 2. However, the carrier is rumored to be getting two big screened smartphones from LG and HTC which could foil those plans.
Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Carriers: What to Expect.
It’s possible that Samsung could branch out to carriers like U.S. Cellular as well as U.S. Cellular currently carriers the Galaxy S III on its 4G LTE network.
Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Price
Nothing is currently known about the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 price. We imagine that it won’t fall too far outside of the norm for smartphones released in 2012 and that could mean that the model with the least amount of storage space could arrive for $199.99 on-contract.
Of course, the Galaxy Note 2 is unique in that it uses an S-Pen and a massive screen so carriers might try to charge a premium for it.
