Samsung to launch 'Fan Edition' of failed Note 7

Galaxy Note 6 / Note 7: Name change and beefed-up display rumoured

31 May

A new report suggests Samsung's next phablet will skip the number "6" and move straight to being called the Galaxy Note 7.

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Reports in SamMobile says the company wants to bring the new device, which will be launched in August, in line with its smartphone range. This year saw the introduction of the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge phones and a Note 6 could lead customers to think the phablet is actually a generation behind.

GSMArena adds that skipping over the 6 name could also be part of a drive to compete against Apple, which introduces its iPhone 7 and 7 Plus in September. Samsung rearranging its line-up so all its top end devices are seen as being part of a seventh generation pitches the two companies right against each.

The original leak also says the next Note will boast a brand new form factor when it arrives and mimic the Galaxy S7 Edge with a curved-edge display. It had previously been suggested that the display will be 5.8ins and be a Super-AMOLED panel.

SamMobile's claim ties in with earlier reports that Samsung was testing two next generation Notes: one with a flat display and the other using a curved panel.

There have also been whispers of a secondary "Lite" device making use of lower internal specifications for a top end phablet at a cheaper price, although the latest leaks make this suggestion no clearer.

Meanwhile, speculation is mounting that the new device will include beefed-up display graphics.

This rumours began when the South Korean-based company showcased an unnamed handset at Display Week 2016 in San Francisco.

According to reports, it featured a 5.5ins screen and 4K display graphics, with an increase of 44.7 per cent in pixel density to make 806 pixels per inch.

UploadVR says that the display was "pretty gorgeous, bright with excellent contrast and color", adding that a Samsung representative told them the device was a "prototype", which suggests that improvements are still being made.

It seems the company is planning to create a handset specifically made to run the latest entertainment headset, the Gear VR. Fans are speculating that the unnamed model may have been the Galaxy Note 6 or a future device from the firm, perhaps a Galaxy Note 7 or even a Galaxy S8.

Meanwhile, there is good news for British Samsung users. A source speaking to TechRadar said a "backlash from loyal Note fans" has seen the company decide to reinstate the Galaxy Note 6 as its chief phablet in the UK.

Galaxy Note 6: Is an iris scanner on the way?

23 May

Rumours regarding Samsung's next Note phablet are simmering away nicely ahead of an expected August release, with new reports suggesting it could come with iris-scanning capabilities.

The game has been given away by the company's trademark applications, claims Dutch blog Galaxy Club.

The firm has allegedly filed for the names "Samsung Iris" and "Samsung Eyeprint" in Europe, strongly suggesting that we can expect the feature on future devices, possibly including this year's Note 6.

Picking up the leak, Tech Times says that "market observers" believe iris scanning will soon replace the current fingerprint scanners, which are used to unlock devices or make payments, and could be more secure.

Fingerprint scanning is commonplace on many devices, but the lack of widespread adoption of iris scanning would make it a standout feature. At the moment, the only premium brand to incorporate the tech is Windows, with its Lumia 950 and 950 XL handsets. It is also used by an assortment of smaller, Chinese manufacturers.

The Note 6 is set to be a powerful, hardware-driven mobile device. Rumours so far suggest it could come with the as-yet-unrevealed Snapdragon 823 chipset mated to 6GB RAM and make use of a 5.8ins OLED display.

A less powerful and cheaper Galaxy Note 6 Lite making use of the same internals as the Samsung Galaxy S7 has been touted to release alongside the flagship version.