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Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Release Date: Key Things Buyers Need to Know

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With the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date in the United States only a few short weeks away, there are some important things that buyers need to know about Samsung’s big day.

On September 4th, Samsung finally introduced the Galaxy Note 3 to the world, ending months of speculation that had encapsulated the entire world. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launch saw some things we already knew confirmed but we also saw some surprises emerge at the company’s second big launch event of the year.

While the screen size increase, Snapdragon 800 processor, multi-carrier approach, LTE data, 13MP camera and tweaked design did not come as a surprise, the fact that Samsung moved away from plastic did come as a bit of a surprise. The Galaxy Note 3 will be using a faux leather material rather than its usual polycarbonate plastic design.

Read: Galaxy Note 3 Release Date & Price: Breakdown by Carrier.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will hit the U.S. in October.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will hit the U.S. in October.

Another surprise came in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date in the U.S. which was not only pegged for arrival in October but saw specific details emerge just a few short hours after the event ended.

In the past, we’ve seen American carriers hold back when it comes to specific Galaxy Note release details but this year we saw carries confirm a whole bunch of details right off the bat.

Already, we know the price points and release dates for several of the five major carriers in the United States including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. U.S. Cellular will be releasing the device in October though the carrier still hasn’t confirmed any release details. Sprint still hasn’t confirmed any of its details either, leaving buyers on the Now Network without any key details about the upcoming release.

Even with all of these details now known (and unknown), there are still some important things that Galaxy Note 3 buyers in the United States need to know before the device arrives on shelves.

Here now are several key details to have in mind before the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 release date.

You Don’t Need to Pre-Order

If you’re planning on picking up the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, you don’t need to pre-order the Galaxy Note 3. U.S. carriers were hot out of the gates with pre-orders for the upcoming phablet, even bundling it with the Galaxy Gear companion that will be arriving alongside it.

While a pre-order is fantastic, it’s likely not going to be necessary. Samsung does a fantastic job of keeping its supply lines up and running, something that we saw in action with the Galaxy S4. What this means is that there should be significant supply available in the United States come release day, both in-stores and online.

Don't feel the need to pre-order the Galaxy Note 3 ahead of its release.

Don’t feel the need to pre-order the Galaxy Note 3 ahead of its release.

Now, we could see carriers and Samsung purposely limit supply in order to increase demand but thus far, we haven’t seen that happen and we don’t expect it to happen given the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C releases that are expected in September. Samsung needs to have supply to compete.

Something else to keep in mind is that the Galaxy Note 3 is popular, but it’s still a niche device, not as popular as a phone like the Galaxy S4. So if the Galaxy S4 stayed in stock, the Galaxy Note 3 should as well.

So don’t feel the need to order right now. Take your time in the build up to the Galaxy Note 3 release and should you decide on the device, it should be widely available in early October through both carriers and retailers alike.

No Lines on Galaxy Note 3 Release Dates

Those who wait to pick up the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 on its release date shouldn’t encounter any lines when trying to do so. Android smartphones don’t attract the type of attention that iPhone launches do and in the past, we’ve seen very few people line up to buy an Android phone on launch day.

The line on Droid Bionic launch day.

The line on Droid Bionic launch day.

Again, the Galaxy Note 3 should be in supply through its release date, so there is no reason to worry about encountering lines on release day. Instead, those walking into stores should find the device in ample supply, something that likely won’t happen with the upcoming iPhone 5S.

Look for Deals

By waiting for the Galaxy Note 3 release date, buyers will expand their options with the likes of the iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C and LG G2. However, there is also another huge benefit.

While carriers are charging $299.99 for the Galaxy Note 3 right now, we should see retailers like Amazon and Wirefly spring into action and offer the Galaxy Note 3 for cheap. Historically, there have been release date details on devices like the Galaxy Note 3 and with competition fierce, we should see the device drop below $299.99.

How cheap is impossible to say but don’t be surprised if we see a pretty sizable chunk taken off the initial price tag, something that will benefit those that waited.

Pink Galaxy Note 3 Unlikely

With the Galaxy Note 3 launch, we saw Samsung unveil three different Galaxy Note 3 colors, white black and pink. And while the white and black options are likely going to be available across carriers on release day, those who are enamored with the pink Galaxy Note 3 should start tempering expectations.

For one, we haven’t seen the pink Galaxy Note 3 pop up anywhere, just white and black, a sign that it is most likely not going to be available when the release date arrives.

A new faux leather back for the Galaxy Note 3.

Carriers have not shown off the pink Galaxy Note 3.

Second, U.S. carriers are known to be late to new colors for their Galaxy devices, often offering exclusives. Perhaps, the pink will be an exclusive in the U.S., perhaps not, but at this point, buyers need to be prepared for a delayed pink Galaxy Note 3 release in the U.S., if one even comes at all. Remember, the pink Galaxy S4 did not arrive in the U.S.

Don’t Expect 64GB Galaxy Note 3

Finally, while buyers might be holding out for a 64GB Galaxy Note 3 in the U.S., it’s unlikely. In the past, we’ve seen one Galaxy Note model emerge and not several like the Galaxy S4. With the Galaxy Note 3, we’ve seen Samsung chop the 16GB model in favor of the 32GB and carriers are offering the 32GB model for the usual $299.99.

With the increased storage space, similar price tag and carrier history, a Galaxy Note 3 64GB release on release day is extremely unlikely and we’d be shocked if we saw one emerge at all. So those who are thinking about ordering will likely have to settle for a 32GB model with 64GB microSD support.

34 Comments

34 Comments

  1. ccamp1985

    09/09/2013 at 12:46 pm

    Awesome! I want one! I absolutely adore my note 2 but I’m waiting for the 3!

    • Cvickers419

      09/09/2013 at 1:57 pm

      I agree! I love my note 2 but I can’t deny wanting a better more amped up version of it!

      • Frank Ortiz (@OrtizFrank)

        09/09/2013 at 2:00 pm

        Hello! Question, do you need the stylus for everything? All the videos of the Note 3, they have the stylus as the “main” way to use it.
        Help!!

        Thinking about getting rid of the iPhone!

        • agenius

          09/09/2013 at 4:06 pm

          Hey Frank, I think you at least owe it to yourself to consider the note 3, as its just amazing (obviously I’m speaking solely based on what I’ve seen – I had a note II, but sold it to buy this one)

          nope. You never have to use the stylus (or ‘S pen’) if you don’t want to. but. you will want to. at least for taking notes, whether you will use it for business or personal use, the S pen is much faster than typing. The one on this device also subs for a mouse, by including shortcuts to action memo, etc, so programs you can access by using the pen. hope that helps..

    • Frank Ortiz (@OrtizFrank)

      09/09/2013 at 2:00 pm

      Hello! Question, do you need the stylus for everything? All the videos of the Note 3, they have the stylus as the “main” way to use it.
      Help!!

      Thinking about getting rid of the iPhone!

    • Bobby Reynolds

      09/10/2013 at 4:18 am

      Me too, but waiting for a price drop is tempting…

  2. JPCleary

    09/09/2013 at 2:13 pm

    Frank,

    You don’t “need” the stylus for anything on this phone, other than those very specific S-Pen features. So the little click wheel that appears when the stylus hovers over the screen, that would be an example of that kind of thing. Other than that, finger input works as always.

    The Samsung videos with the Note will always show everything being done with the S-Pen because they’re trying to highlight that feature and draw another distinction between the Note 3 and the S4.

    I don’t use the S-Pen on my Note 2 as much as touch input, but I did end up using a lot more than I thought I would. Mainly because it’s always available and I like to do a lot of mobile photo editing where it’s nice to have the finite control of a stylus.

  3. trob6969

    09/09/2013 at 2:30 pm

    The Note 3 IS made of polycarbonate, its just textured to feel like leather. And im glad Samsung doesn’t listen to all the morons who think dent and scratch prone aluminum is the ‘premium’ material that should be used for mobile devices.

    • Nikola

      09/09/2013 at 2:43 pm

      You are moron

    • beCool

      09/09/2013 at 2:51 pm

      No it’s not only textured polycarbonate. It’s specially coated with soft touch.

  4. bo

    09/09/2013 at 3:03 pm

    Carbon fiber is premium , not aluminum like apple wants you to think. I guess, soda cans are premium,lol

  5. nimnap

    09/09/2013 at 4:45 pm

    what do you mean no lines… remember the galaxy note 2? the line was there and very long.
    this guy is clueless.

    • Julio Villanueva

      09/11/2013 at 12:49 pm

      Not really. I got my Note 2 about 1 week after its release and my local Verizon store had plenty in stock

  6. gman

    09/09/2013 at 5:58 pm

    Apple iphone hahahaha.. rofl.. oh god!

  7. Bob

    09/09/2013 at 7:27 pm

    Does anyone know if you can unlock the Galaxy note 3, to use on prepaid Verizon?

    • Bbym employee

      09/10/2013 at 1:50 am

      No you can’t. Verizon prepaid only works with their specific handsets and don’t use Sim cards.1

  8. jpswain48

    09/09/2013 at 7:28 pm

    Anybody know if the Galaxy Smart Dock is available for Note 3

    • Jhardy87

      09/10/2013 at 8:44 pm

      Would also love to know this. Samsung and Verizon sales reps didn’t even know what the Smart Dock was and Samsung support hasn’t responded.

    • Dominic Dymond

      10/22/2013 at 5:58 am

      I think the old smart sock works with the note 3 as it uses the same usb to hdmi interface. Unlike going from OG note to note 2

  9. Garza

    09/09/2013 at 7:31 pm

    Honestly the guy that wrote this little report is nothing but an iphone fan. Absolutely no compatison. Between iphone n Samsung.. Samsung has legendaryquality n features n BIG SCREENS!!! Iphones should all be pink n purple….

  10. LOL

    09/09/2013 at 7:32 pm

    No line? This guy is clueless. LOL. This is misleading. If you want to get the Note 3, pre-order it. Why would you wait if you’re already decided? As if Apple can announce something that could change your mind, LOL.

    • Julio Villanueva

      09/11/2013 at 12:50 pm

      Never pre-order anything. There’s always plenty, specially with Samsung

  11. mdavi84

    09/09/2013 at 8:27 pm

    Lol I ditched my iphone 4 for a razor maxx two months after its release on verizon. Now after my maxx, GN, dna, an s4 I havent thought about going back!!!! Lol my nokia lumina 928 was a better phone!!!!!

  12. Candice

    09/10/2013 at 6:49 pm

    This one of the worst blogs that I have ever read…people should not be biased when writting something if they want to be classified as a journalist!!!

  13. ken

    09/11/2013 at 3:23 am

    Can’t wait to see the full capabilities of the note 3.. will it have a 5 in 1 ballistic case… . To go with it

  14. Greg

    09/12/2013 at 7:38 am

    i wouldn’t count on a price drop for a long time, at least any substantial one, atleast for a year. note 2 is still $199 two years after its release and only a couple weeks before the release of its successor. so don’t expect much if any price drop before Q4 ends. Also got a pamplet from regional today distributed by Samsung, highlighting the pink model and the also the 64GB option. Must agree this article is very misleading, You also failed to mention it will sport the usb 3.0 connection.

  15. gamblor77

    09/12/2013 at 1:56 pm

    There aren’t any lines because Samsung produces enough phones for everyone and you can buy them at any provider. Unlike Apple who builds up hype at the Apple store like an empty bar who starts a line outside to look busy.

  16. Jonathan Wilson

    09/23/2013 at 5:49 am

    In case anyone else holding out for the 64GB version (like me) I just phoned Samsung UK and it turns out they don’t even have an internal release date which means like other Galaxy phones with multiple memory options the larger offering will probably never get released. Samsung if you’re reading this by any chance I was prepared to pay more money for the extra memory as are other people I know, if you’re never going to release a bigger memory version why announce it?!

  17. AppleRefugee

    10/19/2013 at 12:56 pm

    Exactly! I’m hot to buy a Samsung & leave Apple, but after 3-days of looking online, there is like ZILCH available for either/or Note-3, S4, S3 in 64gb!!!

    So what’s the deal, Samsung? It is now late Oct. 2013: Are you going to provide 64gb CARRIER-FREE, UNLOCKED products or not (for USA)? Or do you want us to go back to Apple? :-/

    There are a lot of Apple Refugees after ios7 looking for a New Home w/64gb. We like our Memory Internal. We heard your S4 was the best, better than HTC-1. But it’s impossible to find your 64gb devices in USA, carrier-free.

    You’re making a bad First Impression, Samsung. Man up, buddy, & stick to your promises!

    • Jonathan Wilson

      10/19/2013 at 3:36 pm

      I got a 64GB Sandisk Extreme memory card to go with it in the end for all my music and I can record 4K video to it so I haven’t lost any functionality and I have 96GB altogether. I’d still like to see an actual 64GB phone though!

  18. Kake Yun

    10/26/2013 at 6:29 pm

    If you are interested the Note 3 works with the Note 2 smart dock:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWN43pnkg0s

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