Galaxy Note 4 Release: What Not to Expect

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 launch date is confirmed for an Unpacked 2014 event on September 3rd. With the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release date now in sight, we want to take a look at what we don’t expect from the upcoming Galaxy Note 4 release.

For the past seven and a half months, we’ve seen Samsung Galaxy Note 4 rumors emerge left and right. They’ve detailed everything from the Galaxy Note 4 specs to the Galaxy Note 4 software to the highly anticipated Galaxy Note 4 release date. As we’ve pushed closer to the fall and the month September, we’ve started to see those Galaxy Note 4 rumors firm up and thus, we have a pretty good idea about what to expect from the Galaxy Note 4 specs, launch date, release date, and more.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 rumors point to a number of high-end features including a 5.7-inch QHD display, new design that could combine metal with plastic, new processing chips, tons of storage, a new 16MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization, a fingerprint reader, a UV sensor that measures sunlight, and new software that will help to separate it from the Galaxy Note 3. The Galaxy Note 4 spec list isn’t set in stone but many of these features are all but confirmed.

What is confirmed though is the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 launch date. Earlier this month, Samsung shipped out media invites to an Unpacked 2014 event in Berlin, Germany with satellite events in New York and Beijing. Samsung still isn’t talking about the Galaxy Note 4 but it’s clear that the event will revolve around the Galaxy Note 4 and perhaps, several other devices including a new virtual reality headset.

With that date set in stone, it’s clear that the Galaxy Note 4 release is close. While Galaxy Note 4 release date details have been a bit scarce, we have enough information and enough experience with Samsung Galaxy releases to make some predictions about how the Galaxy Note 4 release and release date will play out.

We’ve already taken a look at what we expect and it’s now time to reverse gears. Here is what we do not expect from the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release and these are the things that we think prospective buyers will want to keep in mind as we head closer to September 3rd and the fall.

Vague Global Galaxy Note 4 Release Details on Sept. 3rd

Prospective Galaxy Note 4 buyers should not expect Samsung to play any mind games when it comes to the global Galaxy Note 4 release date. In the past, Samsung used to offer a vague release window for its global release date but those days are long gone. Now, the company offers specifics when it comes to its global release dates.

In other words, don’t expect the Unpacked 2014 event and live stream to end without a very specific Galaxy Note 4 release date. It will likely reveal the exact date that you’ll be able to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in countries around the world. All the more reason why we think you need to tune into Samsung’s announcement on September 3rd.

Slow Galaxy Note 4 Release

At this point, do not expect Samsung to dillydally when it comes to the Galaxy Note 4 release. Galaxy Note 4 rumors indicate that the company is looking to move fast to the Galaxy Note 4 release date and that it could come a whole lot faster than last year’s Galaxy Note 3 release. Last year, the Galaxy Note 3 arrived on September 4th and was released globally on September 25th with U.S. carriers releasing it a few weeks later.

This year, we’ve seen enough rumors point to an early release that we’re starting to believe that Samsung is actually looking to get this device out in mid-September or so. Rumors have centered on the week of September 15th, a week that makes sense given that the iPhone 6 launch and release are both expected to take place in mid-September.

The iPhone 6 and its larger screens pose a big threat to the success of the Galaxy Note 4 and there’s a very good chance that we’ll see Samsung release early to give itself a head start in its battle against the new iPhone release.

Huge Difference Between Global & U.S. Release Dates

We do not expect there to be a huge difference between the global Galaxy Note 4 release and the Galaxy Note 4 release in the United States. Here’s why.

The United States is going to be a key battleground for Samsung and the Galaxy Note 4. And with the iPhone 6 likely coming to the U.S. in mid-September, Samsung and its carrier partners can’t afford to lag behind the rest of the pack. It would put the device at risk.

There’s a reason why Samsung is hosting three Unpacked 2014 launch events. One in Berlin, one in New York and one in Beijing. It wants to ensure that consumers in key battlegrounds (Europe, U.S. and China) are able to see the company’s spectacle in early September. And we’re expecting those key areas to be among the first places to get the Galaxy Note 4.

At the very worst, we could see U.S. carriers taking a couple of weeks to get their plans in order. Just don’t expect the U.S. to be weeks behind the rest of the pack. Not with so much at stake for Samsung.

Big Galaxy Note 4 Release Date Gaps in U.S.

We also don’t expect the U.S. Galaxy Note 4 release dates to take place weeks or months out from one another. In the past, we’ve seen carriers like Verizon release Galaxy devices with a delay. We’re not expecting this with the Galaxy Note 4.

Instead, look for U.S. carriers to cluster in and around each other so as not to giveaway any kind of advantage during the busy month of September. We would not be surprised if Sprint was among the first to the Galaxy Note 4 release date with other carriers either releasing the same day or within a two week window this fall.

Smaller U.S. Galaxy Note 4 Carriers

Do not expect to see smaller carriers like C Spire or MetroPCS carry the Galaxy Note 4. We’ve never seen smaller carriers offer the Galaxy Note series in the United States and with the Galaxy Note 4 expected to be a niche high-end product, there is even less incentive this time around.

If we do happen to see a smaller carrier offer the Galaxy Note 4, do not expect it or them to release the Galaxy Note 4 with the rest of the pack. Smaller carriers are almost always later to the party.

Deals at U.S. Carriers on Release Day

If you’re looking for a Galaxy Note 4 deal on release day, you’re probably not going to find one at a carrier store. Carriers typically offer new smartphones at their suggested retail price on release day before dropping the price accordingly in the weeks after. Verizon, for example, knocked its LG G3 price down just a few weeks after it arrived.

Those looking for deals will likely have to buy from a third-party retailer like Amazon or perhaps Walmart. Both are known for knocking prices down almost immediately with deals getting better and better as time moves forward.

With an iPhone 6 release rumored for September, we could see some pretty steep discounts emerge on the day of the Galaxy Note 4 release. Just don’t expect carriers themselves to knock down the full retail price on its first day of availability.

All Galaxy Note 4 Colors

Do not expect all four Galaxy Note 4 colors to be available on every single carrier at the start. The Galaxy Note 4 is rumored to have gold, blue, white and black options mirroring the Galaxy S5. The rumors come from a credible source so there’s reason to believe that Samsung is indeed working on four colors for the Galaxy Note 4 design.

Problem is, Samsung has never shown a willingness to release all of its color options on day one. Instead, it likes to wait several weeks before releasing the new colors. It’s also well known for offering exclusives to retailers and carriers. That may not happen but we’re still not expecting all four Galaxy Note 4 colors to be available on day one.

No Contests

We almost always see carriers hold contests and giveaways for top Android smartphones and we would be shocked if the Galaxy Note 4 release came and went without a single contest. We saw several emerge with the Galaxy S5 release and with the Galaxy Note 4 likely needing some help in battling the iPhone 6, we should see some contests emerge sometime after September 3rd.

Trade-in Value to Hold

Finally, don’t expect trade-in value for old phones to hold after the Galaxy Note 4 release. We always see trade-in value at companies like Gazelle and NextWorth drop after the arrival of a new device so those thinking about trading in to buy the Galaxy Note 4 will probably want to take a look at what’s available right now.

Top devices should still command decent prices but we expect trade-in value for smartphones like the Galaxy Note 2 to drop dramatically after the Galaxy Note 4 arrives on shelves in September.