Samsung to launch 'Fan Edition' of failed Note 7

Galaxy Note 6: Secondary 'Lite' device rumoured

06 May

Samsung's upcoming phablet is sure to be a device which appeals hugely to power-obsessed users.

The Note 6 is said to be sporting 6GB RAM, but the possibility it could get the upcoming Snapdragon 823 chip isn't completely off the cards.

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Previous rumours have indicated that Samsung is testing two versions of the handset, with one said to feature a curved OLED display similar to that on the Galaxy S7 Edge.

Now, though, there's suggestions the company could make two Note 6 devices with two very different hardware configurations.

Know Your Mobile picks up a leak on Chinese social media website Weibo that a watered down Note 6 is on the way this year, featuring lower specifications and a cheaper price point.

Currently being referred to as the Note 6 "Lite", it will be the same as the full fat phablet from a form factor perspective and will also use a 5.8ins display, although the screen is said to be a 1080p unit, while the range-topper is expected to have a 2K resolution panel.

It's tipped to get a Snapdragon 820 chipset mated to 4GB RAM, pegging it on par with the Galaxy S7. If true, the leak reinforces rumours that the Snapdragon 823 will be ready in time for a launch on the normal Note 6 and will be coming on the more expensive version.

There's no word on camera hardware or internal storage, nor a price point for this rumoured cheaper device just yet, while KWM says the "Lite" moniker is likely not the real name.

TechRadar warns it's impossible to judge the reliability of the leak, so it should be taken with a grain of salt.

Samsung Galaxy Note 6: 'New Gear VR is on the way'

03 May

Samsung's Galaxy Note 6 could come with a small, easy-to-miss addition that could mean a big change in terms of how the company's smartphones connect to the wider tech world, says a new report.

According to SamMobile, the tablet will be fitted with a USB Type-C port, "reversible connector and all".

The new standard doesn't feature on Samsung's latest flagship devices, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, which use micro-USB, so its addition on the forthcoming Note is a big move. It would put Samsung in line with rivals LG and Huawei, which introduced handsets with reversible USB-C this year.

Samsung has previously stated its resistance to get onboard the industry uptake of USB-C, claiming the market isn't ready for the technology, says the International Business Times. The company also claim that many of the port's benefits, such as fast charging capabilities, can already be done on its phones via a micro-USB connector.

However, USB Type-C represents "the most important technology to hit the tech space in years", says Forbes, adding that the likes of Apple have already taken it on some of devices and that its benefits cannot be missed.

As well as discussing the new port, SamMobile's report also suggests Samsung may introduce a new Gear VR headset alongside the Note 6.

The current device uses the Galaxy S7's micro-USB port to connect. Should the next Note abandon this connector, a second generation Gear VR would be necessary, especially if Samsung is keen to continue its virtual reality ambitions.

The Verge says it would make sense and that it would be a wasted chance if Samsung didn't upgrade the Gear VR to go with a Note featuring the new port, as this would make for "one hell of a mobile VR setup".