Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Release Date, Features, Specs Rumors: Phablet Device May Have Wireless Charging, Q2 Release

With most news outlets reporting on the expected release of the Samsung Galaxy S4, let's not forget another coming Samsung device: The Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

Hardware Specs

In terms of hardware, we should expect to see the Galaxy Note 3 get an update internally, but only minimal changes on the outside. The design of the Galaxy Note 2's 5.5-inch screen size may be much bigger than Apple's iPhone 5, but clearly there's a market for "phablets," and the device sold 3 million units in a month.

That being said, Android Geeks claims that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 may have a bigger display. The reasoning behind a bigger screen is that competitors are making a 5.5-inch screen to compete with the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S3. For instance, recent rumors indicated Apple may be preparing for a larger iPhone in the coming months. In order to remain a cut above the rest, Samsung must increase the screen size of the Galaxy Note 3 to 6.3 inches, almost a full inch bigger than its predecessor, according to Android Geeks. The device may have a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and be made of Gorilla Glass.

The processor on the Galaxy Note 3 is set for an update after Samsung introduced the Exynos 5 Octa chip. Thanks to big.LITTLE technology and built on 28 nm architecture, the Exynos 5 Octa has four cores clocked at 1.8 GHz and another four that were clocked at 1.2 GHz. The Exynos 5 Octa may also be included in the Samsung Galaxy S4, rumored to be released in mid-March.

Lastly, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is rumored to have an updated camera as well. The past two generations of the Galaxy Note had only 8 megapixels, but Android Geeks predicts that the Galaxy Note 3 will bump up the camera to at least 13 megapixels to compete with the HTC One, Sony Xperia Z, and other devices.

Features

The Galaxy Note 3 is rumored to have both wireless charging and touchless gestures. The touchless gestures are similar to the way Air View works with the S-Pen: Just hover your finger above the screen to interact with the display. Reports indicate the Samsung Galaxy S4 may have touchless gestures as well.

Wireless charging is an equally intriguing feature rumored to be included in the Galaxy Note 3. According to Android Geeks, Samsung has been secretly developing a wireless charger. While it was being designed for the Samsung Galaxy S4, Android Geeks says the Galaxy Note 3 may also be capable of wireless charging. Wireless charging makes sense since the phone may be bigger; in that case, the battery could be more powerful and last longer. Wireless charging is certainly a perk that would thrill most Samsung Galaxy Note 3 owners.

Release Date

The Galaxy Note 2 was released in September 2012, right around the release of the iPhone 5. With Apple reportedly preparing a new phone to be revealed sometime this summer, Samsung doesn't have the same pressure with the Galaxy Note 3 because the company is rumored to be releasing the Samsung Galaxy S4 in March. That's Samsung's flagship phone and a huge money-maker for the company.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 may be released in late Q2 or early Q3 2013, says Android Geeks. This is the optimal window for the release because the Galaxy Note 3 can take away some potential sales from the iPhone 5S.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has the potential to be a huge hit for Samsung in 2013. With the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Galaxy Note 3 rumored to be released this year, Samsung may gain a sizable chunk of the smartphone market with intriguing features like wireless charging, touchless gestures, and updated hardware specs like a larger screen and faster processor implemented.