Will Samsung release the Galaxy Note 7 this year instead of a Note 6?
Sources suggest it'll pull a Windows 10 and skip a digit
The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 released last year, and before it the Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, and the original Galaxy Note. Given all that, it’s not far-fetched to expect that a Galaxy Note 6 will release this year, right?
Actually, it might be: an industry source tells Korean publication ET News that Samsung plans to call its next phablet the Galaxy Note 7, skipping a digit in the progression to try and line up the naming with the Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, and expected Galaxy S7 Edge+.
Last year’s simultaneous debut of the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note 5 might have caused some confusion in naming, and Samsung’s decision to keep the Note 5 out of the UK was… perplexing, to say the least. This may be a move to better align the marketing and consumer expectations.
“When Galaxy Note 6 that has its model number lower than Galaxy S7, which is the newest model, is released, it can give out a feeling that it is an outdated phone,” said an unnamed, high-ranking industry representative, according to ET News. “[We know] that Samsung Electronics has made the numbers same to unify a premium image.”
ET News’ report suggests that Samsung aims to release the phone to consumers in early-to-mid August instead of launching it around then, as it did with the Galaxy Note 5 last year. That will give Samsung a bit of a late summer window to itself, potentially, instead of going head-to-head with the impending iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in September.
The report also suggests that Samsung will make the Galaxy Note 7 a dual-curved-edge device, like the Galaxy S6 Edge+ last year, which we assume would eliminate the need for a separate Edge+ model this time around. We’ve heard that rumour before, although we’d be surprised to see Samsung fully eliminate its flat phablet.
What might make more sense is releasing a flat Galaxy Note 7 and then a dual-curved Note 7 Edge. That would help with messaging and promotion, as well, and align the phablets even closer with the Galaxy S7 branding.
However it shakes out, we should see a Galaxy Note by the time summer winds down – we’ll just have to wait and see if Samsung sticks with its familiar numbering or makes the leap. Also, whether we even get the phone in the UK upon release.
[Source: ET News via 9to5Google]
Also Read › Samsung Galaxy Note 6 (or 7) preview
Andrew Hayward
Freelance Writer 
