News & Reviews:   Samsung Galaxy Note II

It appears that the Samsung Galaxy Note II is also getting a refresh as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 powered version has made its way to China. Recently announced by China Mobile (which is the largest carrier in China) as the N7108D, the new version looks exactly the same as the old Samsung Galaxy Note II but has had a refresh in terms of the internal hardware. This includes FDD-LTE, TD-LTE and TD-SCDMA standards. The aforementioned chipset also upgrades the Mali 400 GPU with the much faster Adreno 320 while the 1.9GHz quad-core Krait 300 processor results in a benchmark that beats the older version with ease.

Samsung's next big smartphone, the Galaxy Note 3 is rumoured to finally make a launch appearance on 4 September 2013 at a Samsung Unpacked event. This event will be held just before the IFA 2013 event. These rumours probably started because the first Samsung Galaxy Note was introduced at IFA 2011 while the Samsung Galaxy Note II got revealed at a similar Samsung Unpacked event in September 2012 (again right before IFA 2012). Tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 now include:

• 2.3GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor
• 3GB of RAM
• 13MP rear camera (OIS)
• 5.7-inch Super AMOLED (1080p) / Flexible 5.99-inch AMOLED screen
• Supports LTE-A
• 8mm thick | 183g

It hasn't been more than 2 months and already the Samsung Galaxy S4 i9500 is getting a significant price cut from RM2199 to RM1850 for a total deduction of RM349 for the 16GB version. Samsung have also slashed the Galaxy Note II price down from RM1999 to RM1680. A quick glance at other retailers have the Samsung Galaxy S III retailing at RM1380 from RM1699 and the Samsung Galaxy Grand at RM1040 from RM1299. Even the more recnet Samsung Galaxy S4 4G LTE version with 32GB storage is set to get a price cut from RM2499 to RM2299. All of these models and prices are listed below:

• Samsung Galaxy S4 (I9500): RM1850 (Previously RM2199)
• Samsung Galaxy S4 (I9505): RM2299 (Previously RM2499)
• Samsung Galaxy Note II: RM1680 (Previously RM1999)
• Samsung Galaxy S III: RM1380 (Previously RM1699)
• Samsung Galaxy Grand: RM1040 (Previously RM1299)

Entering the phablet range for ASUS is the new Asus FonePad Note FHD 6. This 6-inch touchscreen packs in a number of features including a built-in stylus. While it looks to be in direct competition with the Samsung Galaxy Note phablet series, ASUS seem to not want to (at least in name), and have instead categorized the FonePad Note as a tablet. Tech specs for the FonePad Note FHD 6 include:

• 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2560 processor 
• 2GB RAM 
• 6-inch Super IPS+ display (1080p) 
• 8MP rear camera + 1.2MP front camera 
• 3G antenna ( DC-HSPA, up to 42Mbps)

In what appears to be a near-official leak, Samsung have let slip a new Samsung Galaxy S4 device much like the waterproof Samsung Galaxy S4 Activ and the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini. This new device is called the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mega. The leak appeared on the version update for Samsung's WatchON app where it clearly says:

"Added support for upcoming S4 Mega, S4 mini and S4 Active.

After the Samsung Galaxy SIII and Samsung Galaxy Note II retail prices took a dip down to RM1699 and RM1999 respectively it is now U Mobile's turn to drop the prices for bundles offering these devices. The Samsung Galaxy SIII is available for the U58, U88 and U Premium plans while the Samsung Galaxy Note II is available for all of the plans. For all the little pricing details check out the table below:

Nokia are looking to increase coverage of their Windows Phone 8 smartphones by also introducing Lumia Phablets or phone tablets. Building upon the 5.5-inch and above phablet form factor that Samsung has created, the Lumia phablet will supposedly have more advanced specs than Samsung's Galaxy Note (no news if this refers to the Note I or the Note II). One of these features may also include a HD display which Nokia was earlier rumoured to be developing for their smartphones.

If you've been following us, you'll know that Facebook has released Facebook Home, it's app launcher for Android smartphones. While the initial release was for the US market back on 12 April 2013, the app has finally made it's way to other markets, including Malaysia. All you need to do to get it is to go to the Google Play Store and download it. Do remember that you probably need to have the Facebook for Android app and Facebook Messenger app already installed.

Samsung are arguably the current king of the heap in many smartphone markets, but if you're already a Samsung convert, then which Samsung Flagship model smartphone or phablet should you pick up? This time around, we answer this question and see how the Samsung Galaxy S4 / S IV, Samsung Galaxy S III and Samsung Galaxy Note II match up. The one page tech specs comparison can be seen here.

Which Samsung Flagship Smartphone is best?

Maxis seems to be dropping prices on their smartphone bundles on a weekly basis as this week they revise their Samsung Galaxy Note II bundles so that you can buy one for as low as RM1149. Of course this means having to sign up for a contract under Maxis but this time Maxis are being a bit more flexible in terms of their contracts.