Nexus 5 (2015) price, release date, specs, rumors

An unofficial concept for the Nexus 5 (2015). / © +MiqdadAbdulHalim

Who will make the 2015 Nexus?

A source close to the development of the 2015 Nexus has informed AndroidPIT that LG will be making what we've been calling the Nexus 5 (2015). We don't know if this name will stick, but we do know that the device will not be based on the LG G4, previously the most obvious choice for a blueprint. For more details, check out our exclusive LG Nexus 5 (2015) story.

We're also increasingly confident that Huawei will build a second 2015 Nexus. Recently, when a UK-based Huawei employee allegedly confirmed the rumor and we reached out to Huawei for comment, the response was ''no comment''.

However, we were assured that the search would begin for the employee in question. What we want to know is: why would you hunt down a loud-mouthed employee if there wasn't some truth to what was said?

We're not buying these 2015 Nexus benchmarks, but we wish we could. / © MobilTelefon

Nexus 5 2015 design

Twitter leaker @OnLeaks has Tweeted images of a case design which could be in the works for the Nexus 5 (2015). View the pictures below.

Note that the photo of the Nexus 6 screen in the bottom left image is just a placeholder and reveals nothing about the actual display. / © @OnLeaks

Based on these images, we can speculate on a few things. Some people have suggested that the two circular cut-outs indicate a dual-lens camera for the Nexus 5 (2015), but since the upper cutout is raised and the lower is flat (as seen in the bottom right image), we think it's more likely that the bottom hole is for a fingerprint scanner (as it will be easier to touch with the flat case edge). This would then suggest that the square cutout on the left is for the camera flash.

As for the other ports, the headphone jack could be at the top with the USB port at the bottom center. Besides this is another hole, which may reveal a bottom mounted speaker, though this seems unlikely, given that it's smaller than the USB. Perhaps it's a stylus holder?

What do you think? OnLeaks is typically reliable, but device designs can change at any moment. Even if the above cases are reflective of the current Nexus 5 (2015) design — which is entirely possible — there's nothing to say it will stay that way. 

Nexus 5 2015 specs

An unbelievably high benchmark score (too unbelievably high, in our opinion) has been making the rounds. Supposedly from the Nexus 5 (2015) - a name we invented back in January for want of a better term - the AnTuTu screenshots show an incredible 85,530 points. They originate from a Russian site called MobilTelefon.

While these Nexus 5 (2015) specs and performance would make a lot of people happy, various sources have toldAndroidPIT that the new Nexus will not be a specs beast because Google wants it to be affordable.

We're also not sure if the Snapdragon 820, the only CPU likely to be capable of posting such a high score, will even be commercially ready by then (unless it's a Huawei-made Kirin 950/Cortex A72, which seems even less likely). 

Then there's the peculiar fact that the AnTuTu score range at the top of the screenshots would not automatically adapt to accommodate such a high score. Can we really be expected to believe the score would run off the screen? 

Will the new Nexus have a 2K display or drop back to Full HD? / © ANDROIDPIT

According to Android Police, the smaller of the two Nexuses will be the LG Bullhead, a 5.2-inch device with a Snapdragon 808 processor and 2,700 mAh battery. With LG developing the original (and beloved) Nexus 5, this seems like it could be the upgrade that many fans wished the Nexus 6 had been.

The Huawei Angler is tipped to arrive with a 5.7-inch screen, 3,500 mAh battery and a Snapdragon 810 processor, presenting a Nexus 6-style device for fans of larger displays. As for the codenames, these are in keeping with the Nexus-line's aquatic theme: the Nexus 6 was codenamed Shamu and the original Nexus 5 was Hammerhead.

As soon as we hear about more Nexus 5 (2015) features we'll be sure to let you know, but you can pretty much count on at least one new Nexus packing a fingerprint scanner now that it is a stock part of Android M. Funnily enough, Huawei already has a fantastic finger scanner on the Ascend Mate 7...

LG will make its third Nexus device. / © ANDROIDPIT

Nexus 5 2015 release date

It is still early days yet, and details could change between now and the expected Nexus 5 (2015) release date in October, but we'll keep you posted on everything we hear.

With persistent claims that the Android M release will appear in final form in August, we might even see an accelerated launch for at least one of the new Nexuses. Whenever it does appear, stay tuned to AndroidPIT for our Nexus 5 (2015) review.

Nexus 5 2015 price

We don't have any word on a Nexus 5 (2015) price yet, but if we have two Nexuses, a large one and a small one, there needs to be something more than size to distinguish them.

So we'd expect the Huawei device to be more expensive and with better specs, and the smaller Nexus to be cheaper with less powerful specs. The information uncovered above certainly seems to support our long-standing theory.

A concept for what Nexus 5 (2015) might look like. / © +MiqdadAbdulHalim

Which Nexus are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2 comparison: the big rivalry

Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2: release date and price

The story of the Moto X Style is complicated by the fact that it's going to be called the Pure Edition in the States. So far we only know the US pricing, which starts at US$399.99 for the base model, and Motorola is promising us we'll be able to get our hands on it from September 2015.

The Moto X Style has plenty of polish about it. / © Motorola

Over in the OnePlus 2 corner, you can get a 16 GB edition for US$329 and a 64 GB edition for US$389. Or at least you will be able to once it goes on sale on August 11, and even then you're going to need to navigate your way through the OnePlus invite system before you can get your handset delivered.

Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2: design

There's a lot to like about the look of both these phones. Motorola has done a fine job with the polished and premium-looking Moto X Style, minimizing the size of the bezels and providing a choice of backs you can select through Moto Maker (everything from real leather to silicon rubber is available).

The OnePlus 2 follows the cues of the OnePlus One. / © OnePlus

Not that the OnePlus 2 is particularly shabby either. It's a bit plainer than the handset from Motorola, but it has chamfered metal edges and again there are a choice of backing materials to pick from: bamboo, black apricot (?), rosewood and kevlar are among the options listed by OnePlus.

Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2: display

It's in the screen specs where the Moto X Style really starts to pull ahead, as long as you like your phones large. The handset has a 5.7-inch display with a 1,440 x 2,560 pixel resolution (a ppi of 520). We've already mentioned the thin bezels and it looks like Motorola is on to a winner with this display.

The Moto X Style has a big, bright display. / © ANDROIDPIT

The OnePlus 2 lags behind in every respect: It can only offer a 5.5-inch screen running at a resolution of 1,080 x 1,920 pixels, giving it a ppi of around 401. What it does have in its favor is the superior fourth generation Corning Gorilla Glass for protection whereas the Moto X Style sticks with the third.

Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2: camera

Neither of these phones are out yet, so we don't know for sure how the cameras perform, but both companies are talking up their chances. Motorola says the 21 MP snapper around the back of the Moto X Style is quite simply its best camera ever (and a lot better than the iPhone, if you're asking).

The OnePlus 2 features a 13 MP camera. / © OnePlus

The OnePlus 2, meanwhile, makes do with a rather underwhelming 13 MP camera instead — though image quality isn't just about megapixels, and OnePlus promises its laser focusing system can get great results. Both handsets have a 5 MP camera on the front for those off-the-cuff selfies.

Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2: performance

We know the Moto X Style is rocking a hexa-core Snapdragon 808, with a dual-core 1.8 GHz Cortex A-57 and a quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 ready to kick into action depending on what you're doing. That's an impressive combination but not quite bleeding-edge as far as performance goes.

The Moto X Style is Motorola's most powerful phone yet. / © Motorola

The OnePlus 2 ups the stakes with an octa-core Snapdragon 810 and two quad-core CPUs, the Cortex-A57 and Cortex-A53, clocked at 1.8 GHz. On paper that makes the OnePlus 2 the more powerful phone, but of course there are plenty of other factors to weigh up before making a judgement.

Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2: features

Motorola was keen to emphasize the personal relationship it wants you to have with the Moto X Style: Motorola staples like Moto Display, Moto Assist and Moto Actions are included, and 4K video recording is available. The 32 GB or 64 GB of internal storage can be expanded via MicroSD card.

The OnePlus 2 adds a fingerprint scanner. / © OnePlus

The OnePlus 2 has a fingerprint scanner, as well as the new USB Type-C connector. It's also worth mentioning the company's OxygenOS software (Motorola sticks with Android 5.1.1). You can pick up a OnePlus 2 with 16GB or 64 GB of internal storage, but there's no MicroSD card slot available.

Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2: battery

Until we get a proper look at these phones we can't make any judgements about battery life. Both Motorola and OnePlus have promised good performance, but then they would — and don't forget battery life is dependent on many factors besides the actual battery size.

Turbo-charging is one advantage of the Moto X Style. / © Motorola

The Moto X Style comes with a 3,000 mAh battery while the OnePlus 2 ups this to an impressive 3,300 mAh (and it has a smaller screen to power too). It's also worth mentioning the turbo-charging capabilities of the Moto X Style, which have been featured in Motorola phones for some time now.

Moto X Style vs OnePlus 2: early verdict

We won't know for sure how these phones match up against each other until we come to the full reviews, but from what we've seen so far it doesn't look like either is going to let you down. They're both well specced and well designed compared with the other flagship phones of 2015.

Fancy your chances of getting a OnePlus 2 invite? / © OnePlus

The Moto X Style has the edge in terms of the display size and quality, and possibly has more design flair too; on the other hand the OnePlus 2 has more impressive specs, even if the process of getting a OnePlus handset is still rather convoluted. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Everything we know about Moto X Style, Moto X Play and Moto G

Say hello to the new generation of Moto smartphones.

Motorola, a unit of Chinese consumer electronics giant Lenovo, on Tuesday unveiled the Moto X Style. In the US, the phone will be known as the Moto X Pure Edition and will have universal LTE banding, allowing it to work in any carrier. It will cost $399 unlocked. The company also unveiled the Moto Play, which boasts longer battery life, but comes with a smaller screen. And it showed off a revamped version of the Moto G, its best-selling smartphone of all time, which is available today and which costs $179.99.

The lineup continues Motorola's strategy of embracing a "pure," or unaltered, version of Android, the software that powers the majority of the world's smartphones, a legacy of its time as a unit of Google. That emphasis, along with the Moto Maker customization system, which allows you to tweak the colors and materials used on the device, has helped it establish credibility in a market dominated by Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy S smartphones.

The smartphones represent the first major update since Lenovo acquired Motorola from Google in October. The new products indicate that Lenovo is keeping its promise to give Motorola wide latitude in how it operates. Motorola Chief Operating Officer Rick Osterloh has previously said that he believed Lenovo would allow him to continue his strategy.

Lenovo acquired Motorola to gain entry into more traditional markets where the Chinese company hasn't had a strong smartphone presence, including in the US. It is the world's largest PC manufacturer, but only the fifth largest smartphone maker, according to IDC.

The Moto X Style comes with a 5.7-inch quad high-definition display for crisper images, the ability to quickly charge (it charges 34 percent of its battery in 15 minutes) and a soft-grip back. Like other Moto X smartphones, it can be heavily customized via Moto Maker. It will be available in September.

Motorola pushed to improve the camera to focus faster, to capture more light and to reproduce better color. The Moto X Style will have a 21-megapixel camera, plus a 5-megapixel front-facing "selfie" camera with wide-angle lens.

"It's the best we've ever built," said Jim Wick, head designer for Motorola.

Motorola is opting to sell the Moto X Pure Edition in the US directly to consumers on its own website and through retailers like Amazon, as opposed to going with carrier partners.

The Moto X Play, meanwhile, will get a 3,630-mAh battery, which means it can last two days on a single charge, and the company says you can get up to 8 hours of charge in 15 minutes with its turbocharging capability. It also has a 21-megapixel camera and 5-megapixel front-facing camera. It has a 5.5-inch full high-definition display.

The Play smartphone will be available in August, and will sell for $300 to $400 less than the standard premium phone. It too can be customized via Moto Maker.

While the flagship Moto X smartphones have earned the praise of Android purists, it is the more affordable Moto G smartphone that has helped win Motorola market share. The Moto G is the company's best-selling smartphone of all time thanks to its combination of decent specifications for a low price of $180 without a contract. In comparison, a high-end smartphone like the iPhone 6 retails for $650.

Motorola also improved the Moto G, adding a waterproof coating on the device. In addition, it boosted the camera by giving it a 13-megapixel rear shooter, as well as a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The phone will come with 4G LTE as a standard feature, as opposed to an add-on as before.

You will also be able to customize Moto G with Moto Maker, a first for this model of the smartphone.

Motorola also unveiled two accessories, the Moto Pulse, an over-the-ear headphone for $59.99, and the Moto Surround, a band that wraps around your neck with ear buds that can be extended to your ears. It will sell for $69.99. Both are wireless and connect to the phone with Bluetooth.

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Moto X Pure Edition announced. Here's the price, release date, specs and features

The Moto X Pure Edition, or Moto X Style outside of the US, is the latest flagship smartphone from Motorola. It was unveiled alongside the Moto X Play and the Moto G (2015). These two new devices were initially rumored to be one device called the Moto X 2015. Read on for full Moto X Style price, specs, release date and features.

Moto X Pure Edition price

Regarding Moto X Pure Edition price is slated as $399.99 for the base model. 

Moto X Pure Edition specs

At the launch event, Motorola announced Moto X Pure Edition specs, which includes a large 5.7-inch quad-HD display. The Style's bezels are also very slim, giving the phone's face an attractively minimal appearance. The Moto X Pure Edition also has front-facing stereo speakers, which is a bump up from the Moto X 2014's single speaker, plus a big jump to a 21 MP camera, which is a big upgrade of the previous model's 13 MP shooter.

Check out the complete specs table below.

DISPLAY	5.7-inch QHD resolution (2,560 × 1440; 520 ppi) Gorilla Glass 3
PROCESSOR	Qualcomm Snapdragon 808, haxa-core CPU
OPERATING SYSTEM	Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
RAM	3 GB DDR
INTERNAL STORAGE	32 GB / 64 GB + microSD up to 128 GB
GRAPHICS	Adreno 418
CAMERA	21 MP (rear) 1080p HD video (60 fps), 4K video (30fps) / 5 MP (front), wide-angle lens
AUDIO	Front facing stereo speakers
BATTERY	3,000 mAh, turbo-charging
CONNECTIVITY	4G LTE, 802.11a/g/b/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
EXTRAS	Customizable through the Moto Maker store

Moto X Pure Edition release date

The Moto X Pure Edition release date is slated for September 2015. 

Moto X Pure Edition features

There will be a Pure Edition of the Moto X Pure Edition, which is an unlocked version which last year's model also had. The regular version will come with Motorola's software features such as Moto Display, Moto Assist and Moto Actions, which we found to be helpful additions to the software package. The Moto X Pure Edition will run Android Lollipop 5.1.1. 

Motorola has also announced the Moto G (3rd gen) and Moto X Play. Read more about those at the links.

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OnePlus 2: The Budget-Friendly Alternative to the iPhone

Let’s face it: Smartphones are expensive. Off contract, the best phones on the market can put a serious hurt on your wallet. To take just two examples, the entry-level versions of Apple’s iPhone 6 and Samsung’s Galaxy S6 both cost north of $650.

That’s why the latest smartphone from Chinese handset maker OnePlus is so impressive. The follow-up to last year’s OnePlus One, the aptly (if unimaginatively) named OnePlus 2 not only packs the same kind of impressive features as the iPhone 6 and Galaxy S6, but it does so at an unsubsidized starting price of just $330.

Display and design

Available starting Aug. 11, the OnePlus 2 comes with a 5.5-inch, 1080p display, which is larger than (though just as sharp as) the iPhone 6’s 4.7-inch screen and the Galaxy S6’s 5-inch panel.

And while the OnePlus One is saddled with a rather bland design, the OnePlus 2 will be available with optional wooden and Kevlar back panels.

Android with a twist

Like the OnePlus One, the OnePlus 2 runs a modified version of Google’s Android operating system. But whereas the OnePlus One ran the popular CyanogenMod, the OnePlus 2 features the company’s own OxygenOS.

OnePlus says the new operating system will give you a “pure Android experience,” which means it won’t be packed with all of those extra apps and themes that companies like Samsung and LG load on their Android phones.

Power and performance

Beyond its large display and new OS, the OnePlus 2 also comes with a super-fast processor and 4GB of memory, which means the low-cost handset should be able to run apps and games at speeds comparable to its more expensive contemporaries’. Storage options include the base 16GB model and a 64GB option that costs $389.

Camera

Of course, as with any new smartphone, a great camera is a must. The original OnePlus One’s was a bit of a letdown, especially when compared to the competition.

But the OnePlus 2 gets a new 13-megapixel camera, with optical image stabilization (OIS) to help make sure that photos look sharp even if the camera shakes.

USB Type-C

The OnePlus 2 is also among the first smartphones in the world to come equipped with the new USB Type-C connector. Unlike the micro-USB cable used by most Android smartphones or Apple’s Lightning cable, USB Type-C not only lets you charge your phone and transfer data from it to your PC, it also lets you use your phone to charge your laptop.

The cable can also carry video signals, so you’ll be able to use it to connect your phone to your TV to stream movies. Oh, and all USB-Type C devices use the same cable, so you’ll be able to cut back on that rat’s nest you carry around in your bag.

Fingerprint reader

Like the Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6, the OnePlus 2 comes with a built-in fingerprint reader for unlocking the phone. But while Apple’s and Samsung’s phones let you use their fingerprint readers in conjunction with their mobile payment apps to buy items at brick-and-mortar stores, OnePlus hasn’t said if it will provide a similar option.

Stay tuned for our full review of the OnePlus 2 in the coming weeks.

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Samsung to put up Galaxy Note 5 on sale within a month in Pakistan

Samsung Electronics about to unveil its another intriguing flagship Galaxy Note 5 throughout the world on August 13, 2015 during an event in New York, United States, followed by a grand launch in Pakistan either by the end of August or in the beginning of September.


The upcoming Galaxy Note 5 appears to be an evolution of the Note 4 with a few common design elements from the previous lineup.

In addition to Galaxy Note 5, Samsung is also launching the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus which is bigger in size as compared to the popular Galaxy S6 Edge model.
According to most recent reports, the Galaxy Note 5 will feature a 5.89-inch QHD screen and a slim 7.9mm thick build unlike its predecessor Note 4 which was having 5.7-inches QHD display and 8.5mm thickness.


Galaxy note 5 design rumors
Galaxy Note 5 Design Rumors
It is said to be powered by a better Exynos 7422 processor and 4GB of RAM. Additionally, will be having a same 16-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), along with a stylus pen.

The Galaxy S6 Edge Plus will not be hosting a stylus, reportedly. It will also feature a 5.7-inch display, Exynos 7420 processor, 3GM of RAM, and 16-megapixel front camera.

It seems like Samsung is high on making large-screened products in order to give tough time to the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and possible the upcoming iPhone 7 but it remains to be seen that what price tag the company will set to make the devices more attractive for the potential buyers.

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Samsung Introduces First Monitor With Wireless Charging

While a handful of smartphones nowadays come with wireless charging as an option, the idea remains relatively niche, owing to its cost, less acceptance and speed.

But will that stop Samsung from building in a wireless charger on the base of its new monitor, the SE370. Samsung’s own current flagship phones, the Galaxy S6/S6 Edge come with the feature built-in so there is some dots being connected there.

Theoretically though, every phone with the Qi wireless charging standard could be charged with the monitor. The standard is the most prevalent in smartphone devices currently, as is used by manufacturers varying from the Lumia 1020 to the Yotaphone 2.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge also come with the same technology so could be used with the monitor

Other than that, the monitor just about covers the bases. It will be available in two sizes: 23 and 27 inch. It is a PLS (Plane-to-Line Switching) panel for a better experience and brightness levels of up to 300 cd/m2. Viewing angles stand at an impressive 178 degrees.

The resolution of the display is set at 1080p Full HD. It makes use of AMD’s FreeSync which works with AMD graphic cards to improve input latency, as well as reduce stutter and obtain a response time of just 4ms.

The Eco Saving Plus mode reduces brightness up to ten-percent less energy usage while an Eye Saver mode protects the users’ eyes from harmful blue light. The design is also stylish and decidedly good-looking, with just a white version being announced for now featuring less bezels and a slim waistline.

No word is out on the pricing or availability yet. Though, since it’s only 1080p, it might be cheaper than you think. The monitor can do wonders for you if you want to reduce clutter on your work desk or just plain hate wires. It is yet another small step towards making wireless charging accessible.

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This smartphone printer could become your new favorite gadget

droPrinter can be seen on the left, with on of its prints on the right. / © droPrinter

“Actually, our 'enemy' is not Polaroid. Photo is only a very small part of droPrinter,” said Fizo, adding “the Polaroid camera is an expert in Photo-Printing. But the smartphone is not only a camera, the smartphone is whole new portable computing device”

This is one of the key areas where droPrinter differs from similar products — it can be used to print notes, messages, emails, even entire webpages, easily and cost-effectively. “No matter what is displayed [on your phone], it can be printed,” says Fizo, noting that droPrinter "could even be used as a second screen for phone.”

The droPrinter is said to keep the printing cost low, and the output high. / © droPrinter

droPrinter is said to be able to print continuously for around 7 hours. Compare that to a smartphone photo printer like the Polaroid Zip, which can produce around 25 sheets per-charge, and you can see how it appears like the more efficient product, even if it doesn’t house the same quality.

In addition, the ZINC paper used by Polaroid can cost between 10 and 15 dollars for 20-30 sheets, droPrinter's prints cost around “one or two cents per photo,” says Fizo. 

The droPrinter does come with some limitations however. droPrinter is small, printing on paper at about 58 mm in black and white. This means images are returned at about 5 cm in width. When asked about the quality of these photos, Fizo said that that images printed when the device is below “20 percent charge” would suffer, but above that the images would remain consistently high quality.

droPrinter has been successfully "Kickstarted", but you can still pre-order it. / © droPrinter

It seems like droPrinter’s ambitions as a second smartphone screen may usurp its appeal as a photo printer, in the end. On such a small scale, it won’t be able to compete in quality with the larger color printers. But it maybe it will be able to offer something more interesting.

Fizo said the intention is not just to make droPrinter more than just a simple printer for photos. “Customers just use the printer [...] other developers can make it an amazing printer”.  

The droPrinter team is making its Android API available to other devs to get their hands on it and integrate it further with their own apps, which would open up the droPrinter’s possibilities further. Where this might lead, is in their hands, but I can’t deny I’d appreciate an easier way to print flight tickets.  

droPrinter has already been successfully Kickstarted, and the product is expected to ship early next year for around 99 USD (though Fizo said the best time would of course be “before Christmas”: if that’s possible, it looks like an earlier release could happen).

We’ll be getting our hands on a droPrinter hopefully sometime before the end of 2015. Check out its Kickstarter page if you’re interested in supporting the project, and you can pre-order one at the discounted price of 65 USD.  

What are your thoughts on droPrinter? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 price, release date, specs and rumors

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 design

We now have our hands on the first photos of what we believe is the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, courtesy of NowhereElse. Based on the previously leaked renders, the device looks as expected. You will notice, however, a small gap at the edge of the stylus holder: this is likely where your nail will fit to hook it out. 

Why is this significant? Only because it suggests that the Note 5 will not arrive with an automatic ejection system, as had been speculated. With only a few weeks to go before the rumored launch of the Note 5, there will almost certainly be more photos to follow soon. Check out the compiled image below.  

Notice the AT&T app on the left image. / © NowhereElse

Alongside the above photo and recent Amazon.it renders of the Note 5 and some case designs, we've also got our hands on some fan-made images. Ivo Marić, known on Instagram as beespline, has uploaded some wonderfully realistic renders of what the Galaxy Note 5 may look like, which are not only impressive from a technical standpoint, but could very well be how the final product looks.

Discounting the bottom speaker/stylus/headphone jack placement (which we think will be reversed) and the slightly raised home button, this fits with the rumored design of Note 5 so far. Check out the pictures below. 

These renders look real, but we believe the stylus holder will be at the bottom right of the device, rather than the bottom left.  / © beespline

Based on what's been leaked so far, the Galaxy Note 5 looks like it's going to be an enlarged Galaxy S6 with a stylus. The same protruding camera sensor beside the flash and heart-rate monitor can be seen on the rear with similar button placements and speaker grill.

The phablet also appears to be housed in the same materials as the Galaxy S6. This premium-feel aluminum unibody would suggest the device won't come with a removable rear panel or a removable battery, as has been previously speculated.

Fans of Samsung's Galaxy series disapproved of this design decision in the Galaxy S6, so we'd expect this revelation to be similarly disappointing, if not exactly unexpected.

A larger Galaxy S6 with a stylus. This could be the Galaxy Note 5. / © Ringke

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 price and release date

Weight has been added to rumors of a mid-August launch for the Galaxy Note 5, as Business Korea touts an announcement on August 13. Earlier, Sam Mobile claimed that the Galaxy Note 5 (and Galaxy S6 edge+) would be unveiled in New York City on August 12, with a release on August 21. 

In an unrelated leak, Polish website Tablety.pl speculates that the Galaxy Note 5 could come with microSD card support, thanks to information gleaned from a Sprint device page. The device referenced, model number SM-N920P, is tipped as the Sprint Galaxy Note 5 variant. Within the device page text you will find the line "External Memory Slot Yes External Memory MaxSize 128GB SDXC," which seems to affirm support for 128 GB microSD cards.

Is this the Note 5, and will it arrive with expandable memory after all? There may only be a few short weeks left until we find out. 

The Galaxy Note 5 might launch in mid-August. / © ANDROIDPIT

The Korea Herald previously suggested that the Galaxy Note 5 would launch in mid-August ahead of the IFA conference, unlike earlier devices in the Note series. 

Though Berlin's IFA conference is typically the setting of Samsung's phablet launches, The Korea Herald indicated that the release could be brought forward to allay the head-to-head competition with Apple when it releases the iPhone 6S in September.

It has also been speculated that Samsung is trying to hurry the Note 5 launch as a response to lackluster sales of the Galaxy S6. Having said that though, Sam Mobile has claimed the Galaxy Note 5 design will be a "blown-up version of the Galaxy S6" albeit with an "extremely thin screen bezel". 

Could we guess at the Note 5 thickness based on the space between the case and the surface? Probably not. / © Ringke

The Galaxy Note 5 price will likely to come close to 1,000 USD off-contract. The Galaxy Note series is known for delivering cutting-edge smartphone technology, and with the Galaxy Note Edge coming in at around 1,000 USD when it was introduced last year, there's every chance the new Note could do so too.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 specs

Both the Note 5 and the S6 Edge are devices are said to feature a 5.67-inch Super AMOLED display with QHD resolution (2,560 x 1,440 pixels) and 4 GB RAM, according to Sam Mobile.. They are also expected to come in four colors: gold, silver, black and white.

The Galaxy Note 5 may come with an updated Air Command menu, seen above on the Galaxy Note 4. / © ANDROIDPIT

As the name indicates, the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus would have a dual-edged display like the Galaxy S6 Edge, while the Galaxy Note 5 is destined to have a flat screen. 

Lastly, Sam Mobile suggests that the Note 5 will house a Exynos 7422 processor which it says will combine a "64-bit octa-core CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and the company’s homegrown Shannon LTE modem in a single package." Like the OnePlus 2, the Note 5 will probably make use of a USB Type-C connector too. 

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 features

Samsung submitted a patent application file on June 30 for a new feature entitled Write on PDF, which Sam Mobilesuggests could be implemented for the Galaxy Note 5. 

Another ultra-realistic fan render of the Galaxy Note 5. / © beespline

The Galaxy Note 4 includes a 'Screen Write' feature which lets you draw over what's on screen, but to do so on top of a PDF requires you to take a screenshot first. This new trademark would allow the user to write on PDFs simply by activating Screen Write. 

There's nothing to say that the patent relates to the Galaxy Note 5, or that its functionality will be as we suggest, but it seems like the logical conclusion. 

While it's not a groundbreaking feature per se, it is indicative of Samsung's desire to make the Galaxy Note 5 the most convenient phablet it has ever produced. 

Three color options of the Ringke cases for the Galaxy Note 5. / © Ringke

Samsung's stylus, known as the S Pen, is something which sets the Galaxy Note series apart from the competition. While it is performing the best it ever has on the Note 4, there is still a lot of potential for this technology and Samsung is almost certain to deliver some improvements (like the auto-eject feature mentioned at the top of the page).

The handwriting recognition and usability has been improved in the latest version, but can the classic feel of pen on paper be surpassed by a smartphone? Possibly. 

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 display

Though Samsung is always keen to be at the forefront of display technology, a 4K display for the Galaxy Note 5 does seem unlikely at this point, with the latest rumor suggesting that it will house a 5.67-inch QHD display. 

Should Samsung include a 4K display it might create a huge strain on the battery life (even with the fast-charging expected on the Note 5), it would be expensive, and Samsung already has what many believe to be the best looking smartphone display in the world on the (QHD) Galaxy S6. It would probably be unnecessary risk to include a UHD display on one of Samsung's phablets this year. 

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 camera

It seems likely that the Galaxy Note 5 will house some impressive camera tech, given that Samsung tends to prioritize this for its flagship devices. The Note 5 would probably house a wide-angle front-facing camera for all of those 'welfies' that people are clamoring for, likely in the region of 5 MP. As for the primary camera, this could be 16 MP offering with optical image stabilization and 4K video recording, as is tipped for the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.

There have been so many leaked images of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 now that we're inclined to believe this is how the finished product will look. / © Ringke

What would you like to see in the Galaxy Note 5? Let us know in the comments below.

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