Today we got a big leak for the upcoming Galaxy Note device from Samsung. The leak came from famed leaker Evan Blass and shows what appears to be the next generation of Galaxy Note smartphone for all the world to see.
The Galaxy Note series is separate from Samsung’s Galaxy S line, focusing on bigger displays, productivity features such as the stylus, and (occasionally) higher-end specs. We’re expecting to see the announcement for the device at Samsung’s press event on August 2, so we won’t have to wait long to see if the rumors have been true.
Until then, here’s what we think we know about the next Galaxy Note so far:
1. The Name
Because the Galaxy Note series started later than the Galaxy S series, it’s always lagged behind it in terms of the numbering scheme. It gets even more confusing when you consider that the S series usually comes out at the beginning of the year, while the Note usually comes out in late summer.
In order to quell some of the confusion, Samsung confirmed in a blog post that it will take a trick from Microsoft and completely skip a number and go straight to the Note 7.
2. DualEdge Display
As is to be expected, it looks like Samsung will again be using its curved screen technology to put a dual edge display on the next Note. Speaking of confusing naming schemes, last year the Galaxy S6 edge+ will released side-by-side with the Note 5, which was essentially a larger Galaxy S6 edge.
This year though, it’s not clear if Samsung will be offering a non-dual edge screen, though if I had to guess I would say it will. Will the next Note phones be the Note 7 and a Note 7 edge? Although that seems like it would make sense, Samsung seems to be putting a lot of emphasis on the combination of having a device with both a stylus (or the S Pen, as it calls it) and the DualEdge display.
3. Color Variants
The new leak also shows off a new “coral” color variant. The options with last year’s Note were black, white, gold, and silver—though we aren’t sure yet if all of those will be coming back. In the past, Samsung has been known for having a “more is more” attitude when it comes to variants and color options, but it could definitely be changing its tune this year.
Other than the new color option, the look of the phone is nearly identical to the Galaxy S7, except that it is bigger and comes with the stylus.
4. USB-C Port
Another feature that we saw from the leak is the USB-C port, which it looks like the Note 7 will use. This was also to be expected after we saw Samsung put the burgeoning new port on the Galaxy S7 earlier this year.
5. Iris Scanner
One of the rumors that has been out there for quite some time now are about the addition of an iris scanner. An eye scanner would be a first on a smartphone, but in a time of privacy concerns and security leaks, it’s an interesting move for Samsung. Even the most recent leaks support the inclusion of an iris scanner, so at this point it seems like there’s a pretty good chance we’ll see it on the Note 7.