Galaxy Note 5 News, Release Date: Samsung Seen Eyeing Early Launch to Beat New iPhones

Rumors are circulating that Samsung could release the upcoming Galaxy Note 5 in July this year with the intent to beat the upcoming iPhones models to the market. Industry sources say Samsung may be planning a strategic move to take on the upcoming iPhone 6s Plus, which falls in the phablet category just like the Note 5.

The possible advancement of the Galaxy Note 5 launch date was mentioned in an article recently published in the Korean website WhoWired. The article said that instead of the device coming out during IFA 2015 in Berlin, Germany, in September this year, which is the normal launch date for new telecom devices, the Galaxy Note 5 could be launched during an earlier special event to be hosted by Samsung. This event is going to feature the launch of the Samsung Pay service, a pre-installed app on the Galaxy Note 5.

The WhoWired article did not mention any likely date for the Galaxy Note 5's launch but said it could be at the end of July, or about a month before Apple launches its latest iPhones. If the launch happens in July, it is expected that the Galaxy Note 5 will arrive in the market ahead of the iPhone phablet.

Industry analysts have pointed to the success of last year's iPhone 6 Plus, saying that Samsung wants to counter its popularity and that of the upcoming iPhone model by launching the Galaxy Note 5 earlier than scheduled so it could beat its rivals to the market and thus grab a better market share before the latest phablet from Apple, which has been dubbed as the iPhone 6s Plus, hits the market.

The article from the Korean website also stated that Samsung is expected to finish a prototype device by June and reveal it to clients and telecom companies before launching it in July.

As for the specs on the Galaxy Note 5, it is expected to include the Exynos chip created using the so-called 14nm process, a new manufacturing technology that delivers ultra-fast performance in razor-thin devices.

The display on the device has also been ramped up to 5.89 inches. An S Pen stylus and a huge 4100mAh battery will likewise be included to provide the power needed to run a high quality display.