The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 has just appeared in two separate leaks, giving us big clues about the upcoming phablet.
The first is an appearance by proxy – casemaker Ringke has begun peddling Note 5 cases on Amazon US.
We’re not expecting huge design changes with the Note 5, but one particular modification has caught our interest.
It’s the S-Pen, a staple of the Note-series, and included on the case renders, albeit with one key change.
Unlike with previous iterations, the Note 5’s S-Pen sits flush with the body of the phone, making it impossible to pull out by normal means.
The usual finger groove is missing…
That gels with earlier rumours based on a patent that suggested Samsung would utilise auto-ejection technology for the Note 5’s stylus.
This means that removing the stylus may be software-controlled, and that the stylus will auto-eject when compatible apps are launch.
The second leak is an image – courtesy of SamsungMania – that appears to show a Galaxy Note 5 testbed unit.
A testbed is a prototype that carries the software and internal hardware of a smartphone, but doesn’t feature the design of the final product.
That’s why the device pictured looks pretty hideous. The actual Note 5 will look much nicer, at least if other leaks hold water.
It’s hideous now, but the final version will be prettier
Unfortunately, the testbed doesn’t actually give away any new information. The only notable point is that the device is running Android 5.0 Lollipop, but that’s to be expected.
Related: Best Android Smartphones 2015
Both the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus hit the headlines earlier today after it emerged that the two handsets had been certified by America’s FCC.
All smartphones need to pass through the Federal Communications Commission before they can be sold on the US market.
As such, this certification is a major sign that the release of the handsets – model numbers SM-N920V and SM-N920A – is imminent.
Fortunately, a recent report suggests the Galaxy Note 5 will launch in mid-August, so we might not have too long to wait.
If you want a more tangible handset, check out our smartphone group test video below:
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
