The Indian arm of electronics giant Samsung has reportedly begun sending out invitations for an event next week, hinting that the launch of Galaxy Note 3 in the sub-continent is just a few days away.
Hours after Sony rolled out invites for an 18 September event, Samsung India also began to send out invites for an event scheduled for 17 September in New Delhi. The event is said to witness the launch of the recently unveiled Galaxy Note 3 phablet as well as the company's first ever wearable device, Galaxy Gear smartwatch.
Both Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Gear will hit the Indian retail stores on 25 September.
The new Samsung phablet flaunts a 5.7-inch full HD Super AMOLED display and runs on the latest Android v4.3 (Jelly Bean) OS with 3GB RAM - enough for any 3D or power-guzzling games to run smoothly. Users can sync the phablet with Galaxy Gear smartwatch as well.
The device houses a 13.0-megapixel primary camera with the ability to record 4K resolutions Ultra HD video (3840px2160p) at 30 fps. It also flaunts a 2.0-megapixel snapper with full HD video recording ability.
In India, Samsung is expected to roll out the 3G enabled Note 3 with the company's in-house built Exynos 5420 Octa-core processor (with quad-core processors-A15 1.9 GHz + A7 1.3 GHz).
Like its ancestors, the latest phablet will be shipped with S Pen stylus. It is said to feature functionalities like Air Command, Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, Pen Window S Note, Multi Window, new Easy Clip, and Direct Pen Input.
On the other hand, Galaxy Gear smartwatch ships with a 1.3-inch Super AMOLED touch screen having 320x320p display resolutions and flaunts a 1.9-megapixel camera with BSI sensor and auto-focus features capable of recording HD 720p video.
It packs an 800 mAh processor paired with 512MB RAM and 4GB memory backed by Li-Ion battery with 315 mAh.
One of the striking features of the smartwatch is its Safety assistance app. During an emergency, the user just needs to press a power button on Galaxy Gear three times continuously, after which the smartwatch will automatically send his/her geographical location data to a pre-designated set of people through SMS. Another noteworthy feature is the S voice functionality through which the user can answer a call directly on the smartwatch, without having to open it.
Currently, this smartwatch is compatible with Galaxy Note 3 only. After the Android v4.3 update, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 users can sync their device with the smartwatch.
Other features include the Evernote app, which lets the user to snap an image and set a reminder with the picture. Another app, MyFitness Pal, tracks the user's routine fitness regime as well as nutrition intake. One can also make online purchases plus track transactions via e-Bay app.
Going by e-retailers in US and UK, Galaxy Note 3 may be priced anywhere between ₹45,000 and ₹60,000. Whereas, Galaxy Gear may come with a price-tag of more than ₹25,000. Further depreciation of the Indian rupee may add to the woes of prospective buyers in India.
Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy Note 3:
Model |
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 |
Display |
5.7-inch (5.68-inch) Super AMOLED Full HD Display |
OS |
Android v4.3 Jelly Bean OS |
Processor |
4G-LTE variant -2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor and other 3G variant will pack Samsung's in-house built Exynos 5420 Octa-core processor(in India) |
RAM |
3GB |
Storage capacity |
32GB and 64GB + microSD card, memory can be further expandable up to 64GB |
Camera |
Main: 13.0-megapixel camera with BSI sensor, auto-focus, LED flash (High CRI), UHD -4K resolutions (3840x2160p) at 30 fps Front: 2.0-megapixel camera with BSI sensor, full HD 1080p video recording |
Battery |
3200 mAh |
Add-ons |
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (HT80),Bluetooth v4.0 (LE), IR LED (Remote control),MHL v2.0,GPS/GLONASS,NFC |
S-pen functionalities |
Air Command: Action Memo, Scrapbook, Screen Write, S Finder, Pen Window S Note, Multi Window, new Easy Clip, Direct Pen Input |
Dimensions |
151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm |
Weight |
168 g |
Price |
Expected to be around ₹45,000 to ₹60,000 |
Key specifications of Samsung Galaxy Gear:
Model |
Samsung Galaxy Gear (SM-V700) |
Display |
1.3-inch Super AMOLED touch screen with 320x320p resolutions |
Key Apps |
Safety assistance : in case on emergency, user just have to press power button three times continuously, and smartwatch will automatically sends users location data to pre designated set of people through SMS, Evernote watch app allows user to capture image and set as remainder, e-Bay app(lets user to complete all transaction in real time), MyFitness Pal tracks users' nutrition and exercise routines |
Processor |
800 MHz processor |
RAM |
512MB |
Storage |
4GB internal memory |
Camera |
1.9-megapixel camera with BSI Sensor with auto-focus and sound & shot feature. HD 720p video recording feature |
Battery |
Li-Ion battery with 315 mAh |
Add-ons |
Bluetooth v4.0 with BLE, 2 x microphones and 1 x speaker |
Colours |
Jet Black, Mocha Gray, Wild Orange, Oatmeal Beige, Rose Gold, and Lime Green. |
Dimensions |
56.11 x 36.8 x 11.1 mm |
Weight |
73.8 g |
Price |
£299(in UK), approximately ₹30,000 in terms of Indian denomination |