News & Reviews:   Samsung Galaxy Note 3

While the Samsung Galaxy Note III is just days from being unveiled, some new rumours have cropped up stating that a cheaper version may also be in development. This cheaper version may get it's price cut due to lower-end internal features and tech specs such as the aforementioned 8MP camera sensor. Other hardware that may be cut-down includes the Super AMOLED screen which may be replaced with an LCD screen. So far, no news on actual pricing or availability but according to the rumours 30% of the entire first batch of Samsung Galaxy Note III phablets are in fact the cheaper versions and will be sold alongside the more expensive version for more options. No exact release dates in Malaysia but the report further states that the cheaper version would be made available for emerging markets like Malaysia. For now, we can only wait and see the Samsung Galaxy Note III unveiling on 4 September 2013. 

Updated (20-9-2013):-

Finally, Samsung Malaysia have officially announced the availability of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phablet for Malaysian consumers. In a launch event held today, Samsung Malaysia are offering the 4G version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 LTE and will be available in the market from 25 September 2013. This Samsung Galaxy Note 3 LTE will be priced from RM2399 but will not have a combo deal with the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch priced RM999. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will be available in three colours, Jet Black, Blush Pink and Classic White. Samsung leave the option to the local telco instead. So you might need to crap the FREE Galaxy Gear chance fast when you signing up with the telco.

Rumours have cropped up in Taiwan that the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note III phablet may be going on pre-order just 12 days after it's announcement. We've all "Noted" the Samsung Unpacked 2 event slated for 4 September 2013, but according to these rumours, the phablet is likely to go on pre-order on 16 September 2013, with sales expected to begin on or after 27 September 2013. This rumour comes because the Note III was earlier said to "ship" in September which may indicate that it could be available in Malaysia and other countries sooner than expected. No real definite release dates in Malaysia just yet though but with the announcement just next week, it shouldn't be long now. As a refresher, the Note III is expected to offer tech specs which include 3GB of RAM, 4K video recording capabilities and a 5.68-inch Full HD 1080p display screen.

While we've been speculating a lot about the Samsung Galaxy Gear, Samsung's upcoming smartwatch, a Samsung VP recently confirmed that it would be coming on 4 September 2013. This comes courtesy of Lee Young-hee, Samsung Mobile VP who confirmed that it would make an appearance, perhaps at the Samsung Unpacked 2 event on the same date. If or when that happens, it would likely be revealed alongside the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which is rumoured to be revealed at the same event. He also confirmed that it won't have a flexible screen, going on to say that the Samsung Galaxy Gear will be a:

"wearable concept device" and is "confident that the Gear will add meaningful momentum to the mobile industry"

While the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 may or may not be unveiled this 4 September 2013, rumours and leaked images continue to appear about the phablet. This includes front panel of the phablet. At first glance it maintains the same look and feel of the Samsung Galaxy Note II but has more defined corners than it's predecessor. The front panel confirms that the phablet will have a 5.68-inch display while the side bezel is only 2.2mm. The panel was only 1.8mm thick which could mean an even thinner Samsung Galaxy Note 3. So far, other tech specs and features like whether it will use a Samsung Exynos 5 Octa chip or a Snapdragon 800 processor or even the 3GB RAM have still not been confirmed just yet. No pricing details or Malaysia release date were available though but stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.

While most people are contently watching or converting to full HD 1080p, the display industry are pushing for the adoption of 4K video. Part of the reasons why not many people are buying 4K displays is that there isn't any content to display it with as there just aren't enough media conversions yet. According to some rumours, the Samsung Galaxy Note III may offer 4K video recording support which would help push the 4K adoption movement a whole lot quicker.

Sourced from South Korean dailies, the rumour indicates that the Samsung Galaxy Note III will offer video recording at 3840 x 2160 pixels (this matches with 4K video resolutions) and may also include 24-bit/192KHz music playback. This would mean that the Samsung Galaxy Note III would not only be able to record 4K video but also playback some awesome audio (hopefully it packs on some quality speakers as well). So far there isn't any Malaysia release date just yet but the Samsung Galaxy Note III is expected to be revealed in the upcoming Samsung Unpacked 2 event this September 2013. No details or news on Malaysia pricing either but stay tuned and we'll keep you updated. 

It almost seems like deja vu as information surfaces about Malaysia getting both Exynos and Snapdragon 800 powered versions of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note III phablet. Coming from the same source that said we'd get the Exynos Octa and Snapdragon 600 powered versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4, the site has released a country list for the various versions of the phablet. As mentioned earlier, Malaysia is listed as getting the SM-N900 and the SM-N9005.

After teasing the Samsung Galaxy Note III for months now, Samsung are finally setting a date for it's unveiling. This date is 4 September 2013 for their Samsung Unpacked 2013 Episode 2 in New York city. While Samsung haven't stated for sure that it will feature the Note III there, the wording itself is suspect as Samsung have said to "Note the date" rather than the usual "Save the date" wording. As expected, the event is a few days before the IFA 2013 expo.

While there have been a whole bucket-load of rumours surprisingly, no really concrete evidence has managed to leak. So far we have estimates that there will be 3 separate versions of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note III, each with a different screen along with a different processor. This could include combinations of flexible screens with Snapdragon 800 processors or new Samsung Exynos 5420 processors along with 3GB worth of RAM. Other surprises in store for us could include a Samsung smartwatch which is what Sony did when they launched their Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

There have been a lot of rumours about the Samsung Galaxy Note III. Some have said that it would come with a 5.7-inch screen, while others have said 6-inches. Others more have said that it would have an unbreakable / flexible display. In a recent rumour, perhaps it could be that all of the above are correct in that there may be more than one version coming out for the Samsung Galaxy Note III. According to rumours there may actually be 4 such versions which include:

• Version 1 - Premium materials (carbon fiber, etc.), 13MP camera, unbreakable AMOLED screen, limited edition
• Version 2 - Plastic body, 13MP camera, normal AMOLED display
• Version 3 - Plastic body, 13MP camera, LCD Screen
• Version 4 - Plastic body, 8MP camera, LCD screen

South Korea's newspapers are practically buzzing about Samsung's next big device, which is the Samsung Galaxy Note III. The latest reports have it that the phablet will have a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display and not the 6-inch display as rumoured by other reports. It is still expected to offer 1080p resolutions with a Snapdragon 800 chipset and 3GB of RAM. Other notable tech specs also include a 13MP rear camera that may or may not have Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). It is also said to be going for a slightly thinner profile than the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Reports also claim that the Samsung Galaxy Note III will be released during IFA 2013 and not before it as earlier reports suggest. With the IFA 2013 not that far off, all we need to do is be patient, wait and see.