Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Release Rumored For Mid-September

Now that Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 unveiling is confirmed for Sept. 3, speculation turns to when it will actually hit stores.

Previous reports in June suggested that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 might be released in stores on Sept. 25, but Android Authority reported learning from an unnamed source on Thursday that Samsung Electronics Co. (KRX: 005930) employees will have two blackout periods during the month of September, during which they cannot take paid time off. The dates are Sept 3.-Sept. 7 and Sept. 15-Sept. 28. Many smartphone makers are known for implementing such blackout dates for employees when a major device release is near.

Notably, the first blackout period begins on the day the Galaxy Note 4 will be unveiled. That led Android Authority to speculate that the second blackout date coincides with the market launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note 4.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 was released on Sept. 25 last year after being unveiled on Sept. 4; however, some reports have indicated that Samsung may have plans to release the Galaxy Note 4 earlier to get a head-start on sales and to beat Apple. Inc.’s (NASDAQ: APPL) iPhone 6 to release. The iPhone 6 is expected to be unveiled on Sept. 9 and released on Sept. 19.

The Galaxy Note 4 is expected to be one of Samsung’s most advanced and highest quality smartphones. The device could include a QHD (1440x2560) resolution display that is curved or flexible. The Galaxy Note 4 may also have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 or Samsung Exynos 5433 chipset, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage and a 12-megapixel or 16-megapixel main camera. Some reports speculate that the Galaxy Note 4 will include an iris scanner or a fingerprint scanner similar to the Samsung Galaxy S5's. Like other devices in the Note series, the Galaxy Note 4 should include S Pen stylus.