Samsung Galaxy Note 6 release date, specs: 5 feature upgrades expected over Galaxy Note 5

Samsung's biggest release of the year is not the just launched Galaxy S7 but the upcoming device from the Note series dubbed as the Galaxy Note 6. Not much has been leaked on the device but it is expected to have several feature upgrades over its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 5, which was released last year.

The Galaxy Note 6 is expected to be released in August, as its predecessor will complete one-year cycle in the market by this time. However, Korean website The Bell (via PhoneArena) has reported citing sources familiar to the matter that the device codenamed Grace will be launched in mid-July. Samsung is yet to confirm the same.

It is reported that the Galaxy Note 6 will be the last handset from the Note series, and it is expected to be much superior to its predecessor in terms of features.

Display

There are conflicting reports on the screen size of the Galaxy Note 6. It is reported that the device will sport a 5.7-inch display, which is the same as its predecessor. However, a Weibo (via PhoneArena) has claimed that it will sport a 5.8-inch Slim RGB AMOLED display with 2,560x1,440 pixels. On the other hand, the Galaxy Note 5 has a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 1,440x2560 pixels (518 ppi pixel density).

Hardware and software

The Galaxy Note 5 is powered by an Exynos 7420 processor clocking at 1.5 GHz

And run Android 5.1.1 Lollipop (upgradable to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow). On the other hand, the Galaxy Note 6 is expected to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and run Google's upcoming operating system Android N.

Storage

The Galaxy Note 6 is expected to come packed with a 64GB/128GB internal storage and a 6GB RAM. It is also expected to come with a microSD card slot like the just launched Galaxy S7. It won't come as a surprise if Samsung Electronics introduces its recently announced 256GB universal flash storage (UFS) to its next-generation handset. The Galaxy Note 5 on the other hand has a 32/64/128 GB internal memory sans expandable storage option and 4GB RAM.

Camera

The Galaxy Note 5 mounts a 16MP main camera with f/1.9 aperture, 28mm and OIS (optical image stabilisation), and a 5MP front-snapper with f/1.9 aperture. However, reports have suggested that the camera megapixel in the upcoming device will be downgraded to 12MP but with better sensor which will give better picture quality. ValueWalk has reported that Samsung will introduce Vivid Photo or Timeless Photo technology in the camera to be seen in the Galaxy Note 6. 

S Pen with dual functionality

Apple has filed a patent about a unique S Pen with dual functionality and it has been published by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, according to Patently Mobile. The patent is about a mechanism wherein a user can pull the S Pen, bend it halfway and lock it to turn it into a stand. It has sparked off speculation that Samsung might introduce the patent on the Galaxy Note 6, its last device from the Note series.