Samsung's latest is-it-a-phone-or-is-it-a-tablet identity crisis has landed in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
Announced over at IFA 2013, the handset comes packing the latest version of Jelly Bean, Android 4.3 and a 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080.
JK Shin, head of mobile at Samsung, introduced the phone - calling it lighter, slimmer, larger, faster and longer lasting than previous generations.
The Note 3 will start launching Sept. 25 globally, with a roll out to 149 countries complete in October. The U.S. and Japan won't see the next Note until October, though the device will be available across the U.S.'s major carriers.
As expected, the Galaxy Gear smartwatch Samsung wrapped around our collective wrists today will connect to the Note 3 via Bluetooth and a dedicated app, among other Galaxy devices.
Galaxy Note 3 specs
Sammy made much of the fact that this Note is slim at 8.3mm, light in a 168g form and packed with an enduring 3200mAh battery, toppling the Note 2 by offering more in the way of internals while maintaining a sleek shape.
Like the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition, the Galaxy Note 3 carries an impressive 3GB of RAM. It will be available in 16GB and 32GB variants, though microSD support can bump it up to 64GB.
On Note 3's rear, a camera flexes 13MP and it's equipped with UHD recording capabilities, able to shoot 60fps at 1080p. Depending on the model, users can record 4K video, too. To the front is a 2MP camera that can record Full HD at 30fps.
A CRI LED flash should make for improved low-light shots.
As for its proceesor, the Note 3 follows the Galaxy S4's route in that it will feature a 2.3GHz quad-core chip in the LTE model and a 1.9GHz octa-core for the 3G variant.
The Note 3 features a textured, leather-like back, and of course the S Pen is within pinchable reach. According to Samsung, the S Pen is all-new, featuring a fancy bit of tech that makes the pen the key to unlocking and manipulating your Note.
The company introduced a number of controls accessible via the S Pen as well as a suite of Note apps. An applause-inducing introduction of the Note 3's take on the Multi Task app. It was just one of the many, many software features Samsung seems hellbent on stuffing its devices with. Others included Air Command (a wheel that steers users through different applications and features), Scrapbook and S finder.
The device will be available in three colors - jet black, classic white and blush pink. The company's Knox BYOD security system comes pre-loaded.
Shin said the Note 3 supports multiple bands of LTE, including Category 4, offering faster and more seamless connectivity.
Users will also find a new S View Cover (in a prism of colors) that let users manipulate their Note 3 using the S Pen while the cover is on.