Galaxy Note 4 Preview: Specs, Release Date and Pricing Info
September and October are going to be huge months in terms of the slew of tech goodies they are about to unleash on us. Apple is reportedly releasing perhaps two iPhone models, plus a smart watch, iOS 8 and Mac OSX Yosemite--and maybe even a new iPad Air.
Well, not to let Apple have all the fall fun, Samsung reportedly has decided to release the latest entry in its wildly popular line of giant phones, the Galaxy Note 4, in September--the same month the iPhone 6 is supposed to be announced.
The Galaxy Note series have always been about combining the absolute latest in mobile technology with monster specs and an apt monster display. This year's Galaxy Note looks to be no exception to that tradition.
DESIGN
The Note has typically looked like a giant version of Samsung's other flagship device, the Galaxy S5. This year the Galaxy S5 debuted a "dimpled" back plate, which provided some much needed texture to the previous models' slippery plastic back. And if Samsung isn't going to make a Note out of metal, the least they can do is make a better plastic back.
According to CNET, the Note 4 should also feature the heart rate monitor and fingerprint scanner on the home button like the Galaxy S5, and the same water-resistance as the GS5 (30 minutes submerged in water at a depth of 1 foot).
The display has always been the Note series' main selling point. This year's model should be the same size as last year's Note 3, although with a higher resolution display.
OPERATING SYSTEM
Samsung has been over-customizing Android's open source code for years, and don't expect them to stop now. TouchWiz will return here with Android 4.4 KitKat running under the hood. Plus, look for more innovation and tighter integration with the S Pen--the Note's stylus pen.
DEVICE SPECS
Look for the Note 4 to sport a 2,560x1,440-pixel AMOLED display, a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor, 16-megapixel rear shooter, 3GB of RAM and 32GB or 64 built-in storage options. Throw in expandable storage up to 128GB via microSD and at least a 3,000mAh battery, and you've got almost an impossible phone to beat spec-wise--for now.
RELEASE AND PRICING INFO
Pricing for this year's Note 4 should deviate too much from the Note 3. That means around $300 with a contract and $700 off contract.
As far as the release date, reports are indicating that September 3rd will be the day the Note 4 is announced. Samsung has typically shipped their Note devices within two weeks or so of their official announcement. So figure mid to late September before the first devices are available. Press invitations have been sent to various media outlets by Samsung, requesting representatives to attend their Unpacked 2014 event in Berlin.
While the invitation doesn't specifically mention the Galaxy Note 4, it's almost a lock since this is the same event that Samsung used in the past to introduce the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy Note 3.
Stay tuned.