Samsung Galaxy Note 5 – 5 things we want to see

There is less than a week to go for the unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, which might seem a little unexpected and early, as the annual Galaxy Note launch is usually a highlight of IFA in Berlin. Its predecessor was met with great acclaim after its launch, with everyone appreciating everything from its design, camera, and some new S-Pen functionality, and the Galaxy Note 4 continues to be a very compelling device. Understandably, we’re hopeful that the Galaxy Note 5 is as good, if not better, and while there have, of course, already been numerous leaks and endless speculation about the latest Galaxy Note smartphone, we’re still looking forward to some key aspects making their way over to the new device. Here’s a roundup of 5 things that we want to see with the Samsung Galaxy Note 5!

Expandable storage and removable battery

This is the big one of course, as these otherwise staple Samsung features were given a skip with the latest Galaxy S series flagships in favor of a sleek unibody metal and glass design. Granted, the storage available with the base model was bumped up to 32 GB, but even that isn’t enough for power users, and opting for the higher 64 GB and 128 GB versions required quite the premium. Absence of a removable battery may be easy to forgive, because of the next feature we’re looking forward to, but expandable storage is going to be one of the first things we look for when we get our hands on the official spec sheet, and if rumors hold true, will unfortunately lament over when it’s left out.

Big battery

Another reason for the popularity of the Galaxy Note line is because of the battery, which has been removable in previous iterations, being big enough to cover the needs of most users. Longevity is a hallmark of the large form factor, and the Galaxy Note line has to continue this, especially if the battery so no longer user replaceable. Disparity in the flagship and even some mid-range Samsung devices tends to highlight where some features makes sense and where they are missing. A great example of this is the Galaxy S6 Active, that, courtesy of its large 3,500 mAh battery, provides for a very reliable battery life, when compared to its other flagship namesakes. Speculation suggests that the Galaxy Note 5 will pack a 3,000 mAh battery, which might be enough, but there is obviously an expectation for more, especially because Samsung has shown that higher battery capacities can be found in their phones.

Beautiful design

What the Galaxy Note line did over its last few iterations is succeed where the Galaxy S line did not. This was very evident just last year, when the sleek and incredible Galaxy Note 4 completely redeemed the design language of the Galaxy S5, while providing even more, and better, features. If the recent leaks are any indication, the Galaxy Note 5 will not only follow the design language and build quality introduced with the Galaxy S6, but that will also mean the loss of the features mentioned above. As well as it worked with the Samsung flagships, a glass design for a much larger device in the Galaxy Note 5, and the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus for that matter, is not something we’re sure will work. The Galaxy Note 5 might set a precedent for the Note series that simply wasn’t true before, and all we can do is hope that the design of the latest Note smartphone makes us fall in love with it the same way its predecessor did last year.

Other versions

If the glass encased design is what we’re going to get, perhaps this is the year where we get to see some variations introduced in the Galaxy Note line. As great as the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge were, the Galaxy S6 Active was able to address a few of the concerns that users had with the original, namely durability and battery life. There was also the addition of the Active key, which received my stamp of approval, but while something like the Active key would a welcome inclusion with the Galaxy Note 5, the S Pen does add enough of its own extra input. The dual glass design of the Note 5 will likely make it one of the most expensive and most delicate devices that requires a death grip. If we’re getting a larger version of the Galaxy S6 Edge, which is essentially a Note 5, with a curve and missing the S Pen, we can certainly hope for Samsung to introduce another variant, like a Galaxy Note 5 Active.

Spartan interface, including S Pen

We gave the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge very high marks for its dialed back interface. Not only did it slim down in features and annoying tutorials, but it was also optimized for Samsung’s powerful in-house Exynos processor, making for an incredibly smooth and snappy software experience, something that Samsung has often had trouble achieving. While we don’t expect the Galaxy Note 5 to be as spartan, considering the S Pen and all the features it entails, we do at least want to see the same level of optimization. When it comes the S Pen as well, it wouldn’t hurt to hope that the new stylus retains the same great potential, without clamoring for too much attention. Plenty of S-Pen features of the Galaxy Note 4 were useful, such as using the stylus as a kind of mouse, but the learning curve was steep enough that not too many people ever pulled it out. If using the S-Pen is easier to learn, and its features are made almost indispensable to the Galaxy Note experience, we’d certainly be using this signature element a lot more this year.

So, there you have it for this round up of the 5 things we really want to see from the Samsung Galaxy Note 5! We’re certain that plenty of aspects like the Quad HD display and the high quality camera will get the updates they deserve, so this serves as a bit of a wish list for this year’s Galaxy Note smartphone. It does feel a little weird to have to hope for expandable storage, and despite all the leaks we’ve already seen, we can’t be blamed for keeping our fingers crossed tight to make this wish list a reality.

Exposed: the Galaxy Note 5 is leaked in-full, packaging and all

There are secrets, and then there are secrets. Samsung sure knows how to keep them given the design and definite details of last year’s Galaxy Note Edge remained a total secret until the launch event. This year however, the Galaxy Note 5 can’t seem to stay out of the limelight. While the past few weeks have brought a venerable flood of leaks, today’s latest (and possibly last) seemingly leaves nothing left to the imagination whatsoever.

Thanks to a recent post on reddit, not only is the device in-hand and photographed at all angles, even the box makes an appearance. Have a look:

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As per the above box shot, the device will come with a 64 Bit Octa-core SoC (believed to be an Exynos 7420), 4GB of RAM, a 5.7-inch QHD sAMOLED display, 16-megapixel rear camera (with OIS) and 5-megapixel front camera, and support for wireless charging. Unfortunately the reddit post indicates that upon boot-up, the Note 5 only has about half the RAM free, thus suggesting the full 4GB is necessary for TouchWiz and the S-Pen Suite.

Also mentioned is reiteration, yet again, that the Galaxy Note 5 will not have support for microSD, though rumors persist and now suggest the Dual SIM variant will have it. As the Korean Galaxy A8 proves however, even with the presence of a second SIM tray, full functionality need not be enabled. While the A8 we have already spent time with does in fact have a microSD/SIM 2 tray, only the microSD function works. Samsung could technically include the same tray so as to not manufacturer a new piece, yet simply not support the expandable storage; i.e. the exact opposite of the Korean A8.

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The leak also brings with it details that the Note 5 will feature a spring-loaded S-Pen despite recent reports suggesting it definitively would not. Specifically, the mechanism will be similar to that of a microSD or SIM card: upon pushing it, the stylus will pop out slightly which then requires the user to manually pull it out.

iNoob

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Additionally the curved back of the device can be seen in full, though in fact Samsung’s Galaxy A series already features a similar taper despite it not being widely highlighted in reviews or commentary:

iNoob

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The pictures are in-and-of-themselves amusing, if only for the fact that they were seemingly either taken in an Apple Store, or else taken at the Apple section of an electronics store. The iPhone can clearly be seen in some of the shots, as can be product information.

The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus also appears in some of the leaked pictures, showing the phablet-sized product in all of its glory. No box shots were provided however the device is largely expected to be a clone of the S6 Edge specs with the exception of an increase to 4GB of RAM.

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Given that Samsung’s 2015 Unpacked event is just a few days away, we expect these two devices to become official quite soon and thus official press renders, specs, and pics will be plentiful. Given the mysterious entity Samsung is teasing on the promo pictures, there is a possibility a Galaxy Tab Edge will be joining them, unlike the Orbis/Gear A which is allegedly going to see a later release.

Note: While the device shots contained in this piece were posted by iNoob, the two box shots could not be traced to their origin as the Facebook page they seemingly came from is no longer active. In the event the source of the pictures can be verified, please leave a comment below and the piece will be updated to reflect the new information.

Retail box for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 leaks out all nicely shrink-wrapped

Looks like this weekend is full of Samsung leaks. After getting yet another look at Samsung’s upcoming flagship devices earlier today, we’re now getting a report out of Thailand that the retail box for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has also leaked out, giving us our first look at the finished product. Although the Note 5 and its phablet companion, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, aren’t expected to start selling till August 21st, it’s clear that retailers are starting to receive their shipments of Samsung’s new devices. Check out the leaked images of the Note 5 box below:

Considering how similar the box looks to the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge versions, we’re inclined to believe that this is the real deal. If we take a look at the back of the device, we see all the specifications we were expecting to see, including 4GB RAM, 16MP rear camera and 5MP front camera, and wireless charging – the inclusion of a charging pad is also a nice touch. All this, and more, should be unveiled at Samsung’s Unpacked event scheduled for August 13th in New York – considering we’ve even seen the box now, all that’s left is to wait for the event to happen.

What do you think about the retail box for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Facebook via SamMobile

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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus get leaked yet again, this time in retail setting

Seriously, it’s like these devices have been released already. Despite the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus are to be announced at a Samsung Unpacked event on August 13th, the device’s have already been leaked out in full several times. Yet another leak has been put online today, this time by Reddit user, joelrtaveras, who snapped photos of both devices at a retail establishment. With other devices on hand, we get our first look at how the devices measure up compared to a device like the iPhone 6 Plus, which has a smaller screen but is noticeably bigger in the photo. Check out the images below:

As you can see, there’s not much new in these images, although we do get to see what the S-Pen looks like in its extended form – it is said that the S-Pen is spring-loaded, meaning you will push it in while it’s holstered to get the end to pop out far enough for you to grab it. One other interesting tidbit is that joelrtaveras mentioned that while the Note 5 does have the vaunted 4GB RAM we have been expecting, during his time with the device, he noticed that only half the RAM was generally available – TouchWiz strikes again, it seems.

Are you going to get the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 or Galaxy S6 Edge Plus? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: reddit via Android Headlines

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Report: Samsung’s Galaxy S6 Edge Plus to have an optional keyboard accessory?

The past few weeks have brought some interesting developments in Samsung’s upcoming product lines, namely the leaking of arguably everything there is to announce. This is a stark contrast to 2014, when the Galaxy Note 4 and especially the Note Edge, were seemingly devoid of public peeking prior to their launch.

We know that Samsung will release the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, and will do so a month earlier than usual, allegedly the result of rampant carpophobia and the havoc it causes. The latest leak is, supposedly, a keyboard cover for the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus:

@evleaks

Although this leak comes from Evan Blas, a well known source for all digital things under wraps, we have to call into question just how probable a product this case is. While the picture certainly looks like the real deal, this would product would seemingly be a first from Samsung. Why a physical keyboard attachment would be deemed useful now when the phablet form factor has been around for almost 5 years now is ripe for questioning.

Perhaps even more implausible is why this product would be designed for the dual curved sides of the S6 Edge. Given the shapely screen’s slopes, handling would seemingly be easier than a traditional, flat device like the Note 5. Beyond this, the Galaxy Note series has always been viewed as the perennial platform for productivity and thus a keyboard would seemingly benefit the S-Pen packing product rather than a standard one.

Whatever the case may be, until the official launch this coming week, this photo should be taken with the obligatory dash of salt. It could very well be a third party accessory thrown on what looks to be the official Samsung case, or it could just be a concept someone made; @evleaks isn’t always 100% accurate to say the least. Still, given that productivity and keyboards seem to be a major thing for Samsung, anything is possible.

The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus is purported to be literally a giant Galaxy S6 Edge, complete with the same Exynos 7420 SoC, but may include 4GB of RAM. Stay tuned to Android Authority for continued coverage of this exciting product, as well as the upcoming Samsung Unpacked event!

One variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 might have a microSD slot

Over the last few weeks, we’ve had multiple leaks regarding the new phablet smartphone that Samsung is about to announce on August 13th. One point that fans of the Galaxy Note series are hoping to have confirmed is whether the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 might have a microSD slot, and it’s not looking good so far. Having said that, a new rumour coming out of Taiwan is saying that it’s possible the variant arriving in that country will have a microSD slot – according to the report, this microSD slot actually doubles as a second SIM slot as well.

This is a fairly common theme in Asian markets where dual-SIM devices are a must and microSD slots are often put in as well. Whether this variant of device will be available anywhere else is anyone’s guess, but if you were really hoping to get a Note 5 and need a microSD slot, at least you’ll be able to get one assuming the LTE bands work out for you.

What do you think about the fact one variant of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 might have a microSD slot? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Source: Sogi via Phandroid

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