All about the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - rumors and updates

[dawheat]

For Android fans, the next big announcement IMO is the Galaxy Note 3 at the end of the summer/early fall. The Optimus G Pro is also a very interesting phone and a natural competitor, but it's been pretty well reviewed.

As an unabashed fan of the Note 2 (best phone I've ever used as an overall package) - I thought we'd start a running rumors/updates thread.

My wants:
- 1080p screen, 5.5" is fine, but if they increase it slightly without increasing the phone size, I'm good with that. Better whites and more brightness would be nice, though not must-haves.
- Battery life stays at least the same (bit more would be great) - assuming it will require a larger battery due to the more power hungry 1080p screen
- Thinner and lighter
- Maintain S-Pen - yes it's not everyday useful but there are times I do use it and it's a nice differentiator

Rumors:
- Introduced at IFA show in Berlin in Sept - likely
- Anywhere from a 5.8" screen to 6.3". I seriously doubt it'll be over 6" myself as no matter how much you shrink the bezels, it would require a noticeably larger phone. I expect a slightly larger phone with a larger screen (a la S4 which managed to stay the same size)
- 1080p AMOLED is pretty much a certainty. I don't believe flexible/plastic screens will be ready for prime time by the fall though some are hoping.
- Plastic body following the S4 - most likely. There are rumors that Samsung is considering a more 'premium' material which would be a nice bonus.
- Current Exynos octo-core - I don't care really as long as it's a current SOC
- Will launch with the current JB version, not KLP as it'll be reserved for the Nexus devices for several months
- Will include Samsung Orb - who cares.

 

[Phobic9]

My only want for this phone is a revamped, slimmed down version of TouchWiz, preferably a version that was designed by someone that doesn't just throw random stuff at the screen. Seeing what they did with the S4, I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

[s44]

There are rumors that Samsung is considering a more 'premium' material which would be a nice bonus.

Those were fake and perhaps even spread by HTC (!).

It would also be a terrible idea given that the Note already pushes the limits of reasonable pocket weight.

Exynos + LTE is almost certain, as on the Note 2.

Is the next Android really going to be KLP? I thought there were rumors of 4.3--yet another JB iteration--in the wild. That by itself would make Google I/O a major bust.

Biggest issue I see for US folks: the bootloader issue continuing on AT&T and Verizon. Though AT&T customers probably have the option of buying T-Mobile's Note full price (the AT&T/T-Mo Note 2s are fully cross-compatible).

 

[dawheat]

Those were fake and perhaps even spread by HTC (!).

It would also be a terrible idea given that the Note already pushes the limits of reasonable pocket weight.

Exynos + LTE is almost certain, as on the Note 2.

Is the next Android really going to be KLP? I thought there were rumors of 4.3--yet another JB iteration--in the wild. That by itself would make Google I/O a major bust.

Biggest issue I see for US folks: the bootloader issue continuing on AT&T and Verizon. Though AT&T customers probably have the option of buying T-Mobile's Note full price (the AT&T/T-Mo Note 2s are fully cross-compatible).

Hmm interesting idea. Do you know if in the US, the T-mobile phones are fully functional on the AT&T network? All bands, LTE, HSPA+, etc?

 

[s44]

Hmm interesting idea. Do you know if in the US, the T-mobile phones are fully functional on the AT&T network? All bands, LTE, HSPA+, etc?

The Note 2 yes, though you may have to enter an APN for LTE (the bands are there). I suspect the S4 may be the same way.

EDIT -- seems to be, no reports of people actually using it on there yet though

 

[Bateluer]

The 'Samsung will be using a premium material in their next device' have been around since before the SGS2. After the plastic GS1, the rumor floated for the GS2. After the plastic GS2, it floated for the GS3. After the plastic GS3, it floated for the GS4. After the plastic GS4, its now floating for the Note 3. :/

Keep in mind all of Samsung's Note devices are also plastic, the Note 8 and 10.1 are plastic, the Tab 3 line is plastic, etc. They love their plastic.

 

[dawheat]

The 'Samsung will be using a premium material in their next device' have been around since before the SGS2. After the plastic GS1, the rumor floated for the GS2. After the plastic GS2, it floated for the GS3. After the plastic GS3, it floated for the GS4. After the plastic GS4, its now floating for the Note 3. :/

Keep in mind all of Samsung's Note devices are also plastic, the Note 8 and 10.1 are plastic, the Tab 3 line is plastic, etc. They love their plastic.

Yeah frankly - if you're a Note user, you're all about the screen. It's not for everyone, but there is a clear niche that wants phablets. Material is actually low on my list -if it's built like the S4, I'm fine with that.

If the Note 3 has a 5.8" 1080p screen in a body about the same size as the Note 2, is thinner, lighter, lasts at least as long on battery, maintains S-Pen and expandable storage, that's good enough for me.

Root, load a debloated ROM, and good to go.