Samsung Galaxy Note 6 to launch in July with Android N Given that the Galaxy S7’s launch is now done and dusted, it’s only natural that all eyes turn to the next big thing…Samsung’s next big thing. This of course, is referring to the Korean conglomerate’s next permutation of its famous phablet, the Galaxy Note 6. The latest rumor out of South Korea is that not only will the next installment launch early – in July – but it will have Android N on board, to boot. While this whole scenario seems a bit suspicious, there are a few comments to consider: The Galaxy Note 5 was launched in August, so a July announcement – or release – this year wouldn’t be that outlandish. The Galaxy S7 was launched in February and released in March, whereas the S6 was launched in March and released in April. Google’s own Hiroshi Lockheimer has already indicated Android N will be available for OEMs in the summer. With that said, there are a few counterpoints to consider, as well: It was long rumored the Galaxy S7 would launch early – as in last December or this January – but neither panned out. Germany’s IFA trade show is typically when Samsung has chosen to launch the Note products; even the S7 was timed in accordance with Spain’s Mobile World Congress. Last year’s Note 5 release broke with the usual tradition however. There have been no big, solid leaks for the Galaxy Note 6 yet. While CAD designs and case renders for the S7 only began in December, there was discussion for quite some time before that. Things don’t seem as chatty with the Note 6, at least not yet. While it remains to be seen what exactly will happen with the Note 6’s release date, given Samsung’s clear desire to push out the new products somewhat earlier than usual, it wouldn’t be too much of a shock if the new handset did debut in July. A plethora of possibilities While reports and rumors on the Galaxy Note 6 are somewhat all over the place, based on the S7’s hardware it is safe to assume that microSD support will return. It is also quite likely that USB Type C will finally make its flagship debut on a Samsung phone as the Note is not designed to work with Gear VR. There is less likelihood that the phone will be water resistant given that the Note 4 wasn’t but the S5 was. It’s possible given that the S7 is also made of glass and metal, but the exposed S-Pen creates extra internal sealing hurdles to jump over. According to the International Business Times, the upcoming phone is to feature a massive 5.8-inch screen with a QHD display. Rumors suggest that Samsung might be doing away with the Diamond Pixels and instead has opt for a slimmer RGB matrix AMOLED panel. Continued talk of pressure sensitivity continue to float around, though by the same account the S7 was alleged to support it as well – it doesn’t. Powering the device is said to be either a Samsung Exynos 8890 or Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, as well as 6 GB of RAM and a battery with somewhere in between 3500-4000 mAh. On the storage side, three options are claimed: 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB. Ubergizmo discovered a patent filing that may suggest the Galaxy Note 6 will come with a laptop docking station. While patent filings are not always indicative of a final product or intention to bring one to market, the rumor extends to suggest that docking the Note 6 would turn the device into a touchpad, as well as the brain and power this laptop dock would need in order to operate. The International Business Times also states this laptop dock would run Windows 10, which sounds even more outlandish though perhaps possible.

• published: 22 Mar 2016
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