Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Rumors Suggest Updated Design With Metal Exterior After Galaxy S4-Influenced Renders Surface [PHOTOS]

A new design may be in the works for Samsung's Galaxy Note phablet as the Korean company may introduce a metal exterior for its upcoming Galaxy Note 3.

Recent reports indicate that the success of the newly released HTC One, which is completely encased in aluminum, has Samsung a bit “worried” about the popularity of its future devices and that it may opt to experiment with a metal chassis for the Galaxy Note 3.

Despite producing some of the most popular devices in the world, fans have complained about the company’s refusal to steer away from outfitting its smartphones, tablets and phablets in plastic. Thus far, the Korean electronics giant has chosen polycarbonate casings for its devices all the way up to the soon-to-be released Galaxy S4, which some appreciate for its durability, while others find the plastic “cheap” and visually unappealing.

Sources told SamMobile that while Samsung is concerned about consumers favoring the HTC One for its aluminum unibody, it remains confident that its software is superior to that of its competitor. But after taking an “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mentality for the Galaxy S4, we may see a little compromise for its next flagship.

Being open to change is a great option for Samsung, whose worldwide popularity has seen sales of more than 5 million for the Galaxy Note 2 and more than 50 million for the Galaxy S3, which was hailed as the best and fastest-selling smartphone of 2012. Having more options could stand to make the brand even more sought out. But as much as consumers complain about the company’s “plastic toys,” they seem to ultimately warm up to the devices and buy them anyway.

Recent teardowns of both the Galaxy S4 and HTC One have determined that the Galaxy S4 is not only made up of high quality materials, but that it is also highly repairable, while the HTC One proved to be a fix-it disaster, with tech buffs literally having to peel the device apart to take a look inside. Fans also seem excited about Samsung’s info graphic detailing the “hidden innovations” to be found in the Galaxy S4, such as its proximity sensor that powers its Direct Call feature. Using infrared rays to track the user’s movements, a user can call a contact by lifting their handset to their ear while reading or constructing a message from that contact.

No doubt the Galaxy Note 3 will take after its smartphone cousin in many ways. Enthusiasts expect to see a number of features from the Galaxy S4 relayed to the Galaxy Note 3. Earlier reports even suggested that the Galaxy Note 3 could adopt a design similar to that of the Galaxy S4.

Concept Phones released a mock-up of a potential Galaxy Note 3 design just days ago. Developed by designer uva7 dance, the render suggests that the third-generation Galaxy phablet may feature a plastic chassis with metal sides similar to the Galaxy S4. This has been the catalyst for putting Galaxy Note 3 design rumors into overdrive. Many have noted that predecessors the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 favor each other in design, save for the Note sporting a larger screen and, of course, an S-Pen. While Samsung is known for sticking to routine, some have also suggested the Galaxy Note 3 could feature the Galaxy S4 shape with a metal casing -- the best of both worlds.

Purported features for the Galaxy Note 3 include a 5.9-inch Super AMOLED 1080P HD display, the eight-core Exynos Octa 5 processor, 3 GB of RAM, up to 128 GB of ROM, a microSDXC card slot and a 3,600 mAh battery. Many are fantasizing about a 16-megapixel main camera for the device; however, we expect a 13-megapixel camera, the same as in the Galaxy S4. It’s a toss-up as to whether the Galaxy Note 3 will run Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie or Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, but, with the device expected to launch in September at the IFA Expo with a much later release, it will likely ship with the more current software.

In addition, we expect to see on the Galaxy Note 3 such features as Smart Pause, S Note, Air View and Air Gesture, which will soon be introduced on the Galaxy S4, as well as the 360-degree panorama software Samsung Orb, which is expected to debut on the phablet.

No confirmation from Samsung means all of these developments remain rumors; however, we likely have plenty of time for more concrete information to surface.