Samsung still isn’t talking about the Galaxy Note 5, but thanks to numerous rumors and leaks, it’s clear that the device is on its way. Many Galaxy Note 3 owners are getting ready to step out of contract in the coming weeks, and today we want to take a look at what Galaxy Note 3 owners should know about the Note 5 as we leave July behind.
It’s been almost two years since Samsung took the stage at IFA in Berlin, Germany to announce the Galaxy Note 3. I want to upgrade the device. The Galaxy Note 3 is still a good phone, but it’s not getting any younger.
There are a number of high-end devices currently on the market, including the Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S6, iPhone 6 Plus and LG G4. A number of high-end devices are also on the way, including a brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 5.
July was an extremely busy month for the Galaxy Note 5. We’ve seen rumors pop up on a daily basis, and we’ve even seen Samsung confirm an upcoming launch event that could be the launch pad for the Galaxy Note 5. This is unconfirmed but most likely.
With a Galaxy Note 5 launch on the horizon, it’s time for current Galaxy Note 3 owners and prospective Galaxy Note 3 buyers to start getting some attention. Remember, Galaxy Note launches only come once a year.
With only a day left until the start of August, we want to take a look at a few things we learned about the Galaxy Note 5 in July. If you are considering buying or replacing the Galaxy Note 3, these are the most important things you will want to keep in mind.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Launch and Live Stream
If you’re considering getting the Galaxy Note 3 right now, do yourself a favor and put it off. At least for now.
Back in July, we saw a number of reliable Galaxy Note 5 launch details emerge, and they all point to an arrival in August. We’ve also seen Samsung send out media invites for its Unpacked launch event on August 13 in New York City.
Samsung didn’t say what it would announce there, but all signs point to a Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Gear A smartwatch. With the Galaxy Note 5 launch date almost confirmed, you just need to sit back for two weeks and wait for Samsung to make its announcement. That’s a short wait for a phone that comes only once a year.
If you want to replace the Galaxy Note 3, it’s wise to take some time in the morning of August 13. Samsung will host a live stream of its event, which means you can follow the action as it happens. If you’re interested in how the Galaxy Note 3 compares to the Galaxy Note 5, do yourself a favor and attend the event.
Galaxy Note 5 Release Date
July also produced some information regarding the Galaxy Note 5’s release date. And if these details are correct, it looks like you’ll only have to wait a few more weeks for the Galaxy Note 5 to hit shelves in the United States and countries around the world. If you can’t wait, that’s great.
The release date of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is said to be August 21. It’s unclear who will get the device that day, though. SamMobile claims that “South Korea, China, Singapore, Hong Kong” will “definitely” get it in August.
We’ve seen US Galaxy Note 5 variants circulating in the FCC, so there’s a good chance the United States will join these initial Galaxy Note 5 release territories. FCC filings usually happen on or weeks after launch, so the fact that they’ve already been authorized is a sign that a release may be very, very close.
This should be music to the ears of anyone looking to get rid of the Galaxy Note 3 this year. Typically, we have to wait until the end of September, October or November for the Galaxy Note to be released. This year should be a little different.
If you want to upgrade from Galaxy Note 3, be sure to upgrade now or in the near future.
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We didn’t need a lot of rumors to say that the Galaxy Note 5 will come with better features than the Galaxy Note 3. Galaxy Note 5 is a phone from 2015. Galaxy Note 3 is a phone from 2013. Galaxy Note 5 should have much better specs.
Still, that’s exactly what the Galaxy Note 5 rumors are telling us, and the two-year gap looks set to produce some interesting differences between the two devices.
The Galaxy Note 5 is expected to have the same screen size as the Galaxy Note 3, but the similarities end there. Instead of a Full HD display, the Galaxy Note 5 is said to have a Quad HD. This is the same resolution Samsung uses on the Note 4 and Galaxy S6. They’re much better than the Galaxy Note 3’s display.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is said to have a 16MP rear camera (probably similar to the GS6/Note 4, both better than the Note 3) and a 5MP front camera for perfect selfies and video chats.
Galaxy Note 5 rumors and benchmarks also point to a host of powerful features, such as an improved S Pen that looks and feels like a real pen, a new Exynos 7 octa-core chip with 4GB of RAM, and a massive 4,000mAh battery. It is also said to have four color options.
That’s the story so far and we don’t expect much change. The Galaxy Note 5 will definitely be the more powerful of the two, and it’s up to you to decide if you need the extra horsepower.
Galaxy Note 5 Design
In addition to the specifications, the Galaxy Note 5 design is expected to be very different from the Galaxy Note 3 (and Galaxy Note 4) design.
This year Samsung introduced a new design language that includes metal and glass. These building materials are expected to be included in the Galaxy Note 5.
Back in July, we learned that the Galaxy Note 5 will likely look like a bloated version of the Samsung Galaxy S6. They don’t look the same, but there seem to be some glaring similarities. The premium design of the Galaxy Note 5 will be a plus, but the change may come with some features that don’t quite suit existing Galaxy Note 3 users.
The Samsung Galaxy S6 does not have a microSD card slot for extended storage. Instead, it comes in three storage sizes, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB. The Galaxy Note 5 and its new design may not come with a microSD card slot, and this is something Note 3 owners should keep in mind as they move towards its launch.
The Galaxy Note 5 may also not have a removable battery. This can be another source of frustration for existing Galaxy Note 3 users. That’s not all.
Leaked Galaxy Note 5 schematics point to a Galaxy Note 5 design that is 7.1mm thinner to 8.3m of the Galaxy Note 4. This could make for a much more manageable phone in terms of size. The Galaxy Note 3 may feel cumbersome for some people.
Price Increases and Changes
The Galaxy Note 3 price remained very cheap in July, and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon. In fact, we expected it to be even better next month as retailers and carriers offer it at discounted bin prices following the arrival of the Galaxy Note 5.
We don’t know how much the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will cost, but it looks like it could be more expensive than usual thanks to the increased fees.
AT&T tomorrow reported to increase activation fee for new two-year contracts. If that happens, activation fees on AT&T will rise to $45. That’s $5 more expensive than Verizon and $45 more than T-Mobile.
AT&T is also expected to add a $15 AT&T Next upgrade fee starting August 1. If these changes happen in August, they will affect the price of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy Note 3. Both will be slightly more expensive. Yet AT&T isn’t the only one changing the way you buy phones.
This Galaxy Note 5 render brings the latest rumors to life.
Verizon Edge, Verizon’s equivalent of AT&T Next, is dead, and the carrier is now offering something it calls Device Upgrade plans. The carrier has yet to make a move, but this marks the end of the two-year contracts at Verizon. Sources told us that the carrier plans to get rid of them in the near future.
While all of these changes happened before the Galaxy Note 5 was released, you’ll want to be extra careful when purchasing and upgrading, especially if you haven’t looked at anything in the two years since you signed a contract.
