The previously rumoured more affordable version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which was formerly known as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Lite may instead be called the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo. This follows the naming convention for the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo smartphone. Some other leaked internal documents have also revealed the tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo which include:

• 1.7GHz dual-core + 1.3GHz quad-core (Hexa-core) processor
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage
• 5.55-inch Super AMOLED display (720p resolution)
• 8MP rear camera
• 2100 mAh battery

We've already covered the rumours about a more affordable version of the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 which could be called the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo or Samsung Galaxy Grand Lite, but some leaked documents have revealed what could be the real name of the new smartphone model. The leaked documents look to be internal Samsung documentation and reveal that this smartphone could be called the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo. The document also revealed tech specs which include a 1.2GHz quad-core A7 chipset, 1GB RAM, 5-inch TFT PLS (confirming earlier PLS display rumours) display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, 5MP rear camera with LED flash, VGA front camera, 8GB worth of storage and a 2100 mAh battery. The smartphone will feature microSD support along with Bluetooth 4.0, 3G, WiFi, microUSB and GPS with GLONASS. Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo is expected to be 299 Euro (RM1337) which should slot it in nicely between the Samsung Galaxy Grand and Samsung Galaxy Grand 2. No exact Malaysia release dates were available but it should be soon with this level of internal documentation.

Samsung is serious about tablets and in a show of force have recently revealed the Pro versions of their Galaxy Tab and Galaxy Note tablets. Screen sizes on these Pro versions start from 8.4-inches to 12.2-inches and are designed for the higher end user. To that end, these Pro tablets are packing higher-end tech specs along with artificial leather backsides much like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. These Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro tablets include:

• Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2
• 12.2-inch Super clear LCD (2560 x 1600 pixel resolution, S Pen)
• Snapdragon 800 / Samsung Exynos 5 Octa
• 3GB RAM
• 32GB / 64GB storage + microSD
• 8MP rear camera (1080p @ 60fps video recording / 30fps for Exynos)
• Android 4.4 KitKat
• Supports RemotePC, Universal BT Keyboard, S Action Mouse, Cisco WebEx Meetings, Samsung e-Meetings
• Supports 3G (Exynos), 4G LTE (Snapdragon)
• 9500 mAh battery

Just like LG, Samsung are also going to offer a home automation service platform which they have named Smart Home. This platform will be cloud-based and allow you to control devices, view your home (from devices with cameras) and get servicing information like when you should clean or service your connected devices. The Smart Home platform will also allow voice commands through devices like your Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch or smartphone. Samsung has said that this is mostly for the future as the platform service will also include functions for home-energy, security, healthcare and eco home applications. Samsung will be showing the Smart Home service platform off at CES 2014 but will roll out the service by Q2 of 2014. No news yet on pricing but it will likely be free in the beginning. For now, check out the video about it last year for a refresher.

With 2014 already here, we look back at the year 2013 for all the awesome mobile phones to have come out in 2013 for Malaysia. There were quite a lot of them, so we picked based on innovation, performance, design and potential successfully delivered. In no specific order we list out the following mobile phones that rocked our world currently available with local Malaysia support as follows:

• HTC One - The First Good-looking Android Phone
• Sony Xperia Z - The First Stylish Water-proof smartphone
• Samsung Galaxy S4 series - A performance smartphone for every user
• Nokia Lumia 1020 - The Ultimate Cameraphone
• LG G2 - Best all-rounder performance with functional rear controls
• Sony Xperia Z1 - The most feature-filled smartphone
• Nokia Asha 500 series - Bringing hybrid smartphone capabilities to the masses
• Apple iPhone 5S - The world's first 64-bit smartphone with well-done fingerprint scanner
• Nokia Lumia 1520 - The Videographers phablet
• Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - The Ultimate Phablet with 3GB RAM
• Motorola Moto X - Always on and always listening
• Vivo Xplay 3S - World's first 2K display smartphone
• BlackBerry Z10 - World's first BlackBerry smartphone with no QWERTY keyboard

Apart from the other rumoured Samsung Galaxy Grand Lite it appears that there could be another version coming as well called the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo. Tech specs for this version could include a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, a 5-inch display and Android 4.3. The design is likely to follow the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2. While this could be just another name for the Galaxy Grand Lite it could be a slightly upper scale version (better screen, camera, etc) or it could be priced higher or targeted for a specific country or market. Unfortunately, there isn't any news on how much it might cost or any Malaysia release dates just yet. Stay tuned and we'll keep you posted.

The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 continued the large but budget smartphone trend when it was released but fearing that the price for it may have been a bit too high, Samsung quickly came out with the Samsung Galaxy Grand Lite. Now, the Galaxy Grand Lite has yet to be officially announced, and is expected to be revealed at MWC 2014, but it has already passed the FCC in the US. This basically confirms it's existance along with it's model number which will be the GT-I9060. Unfortunately, the FCC isn't as revealing as Tenaa in China with the only other tech specs to be revealed being a 2100 mAh battery and the ability to connect via WiFi and Bluetooth.

We've seen quite a few Samsung Galaxy S5 concept renders, including one with a curved screen, but there are of course many designers in the world with variously different opinions. One of the latest to surface is a concept render for the Samsung Galaxy S5 that not only features a metal unibody design but looks like a combination of a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a HTC One. This concept render comes courtesy of Hasan Kaymak who has created other concept renders before. In addition to the smartphone render, he has also added on how he'd see TouchWiz 5 looking like, which to us looks like it's borrowing the flat look from iOS 7. While it does look nice, we find it rather unlikely that Samsung would go in that direction, but do enjoy the pictures in the article.

While Maxis has already started their Festive Sale with the HTC One, Huawei Ascend Y511, Samsung Galaxy Ace 3and Samsung Galaxy Y Neo, the list doesn't yet have a tablet or phablet which Maxis are changing with the addition of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 8.0 LTE version and Asus Fonepad HD 7. The Tab 3 8.0 is going from RM699 while the Fonepad HD 7 is going from RM399. As with the previous Festive Sale offer, the plans are fairly affordable but you have to sign up for a 24-month postpaid contract so check out the table and links in the article for more details.

Samsung is expected to release 4 new tablets in early 2014 but already, rumours about the release dates, names and tech specs have appeared as well. These new tablets will supposedly include the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 or SM-T320/T325, the  Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1  or SM-T520/T525, the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 or SM-P900/P905 and the Galaxy Tab 3 Lite or SM-T110/T111. While the first three tablets will be headed for the "Pro" user, the Tab 3 Lite seems to be for the more budget conscious user with a price tag of around EUR100 (RM450). Regarding tech specs, the Pro tablets will have 4G LTE while the Tab 3 Lite is limited to just 3G, a 7-inch screen and is only available in white. The Pro tablets will be available in black and white and have 16GB storage except for the Note Pro 12.2 which will have 32GB. Other tech specs for the Note Pro 12.2 include a 12.2-inch display with 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution, 3GB RAM, quad-core Snapdragon processor and chipset and massive 9500 mAh battery. The other Pro tablets are expected to arrive with Super AMOLED displays. Release dates on the other hand are expected at week 2 of 2014 for the Tab 3 Lite, week 6-7 for the Tab Pro 8.4 and Note Pro 12.2 (probably during the MWC Expo) and week 8 for the Note Pro 12.2 with Malaysia release dates to be expected afterwards.