The world is now excited to put its hands all over the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3, the latest installment in the Galaxy Note series Samsung has unveiled on Sept. 4 at the 2013 IFA Expo.

While everyone is all eyes on the official release of this phone-tablet hybrid called "phablet," Samsung President J.K. Shin already expressed his high hopes that the new device will sell 10 million units, though he did not specify the span of time that will take for the Note 3 to hit such ambitious prediction.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will be available internationally starting Sept. 25 while an October release is expected for North American and Japanese markets, IB Times reported. This third generation phablet device is said to add up to the impressive sales record the Korean company has been receiving ever since it began its Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series installments.

Samsung's Galaxy Note series has undeniably built a special niche in the smartphone market because of its rather extra-large screen size, a competitive feature that many people yearn for ever since smartphone companies have incorporated touch screen display to their products. As a matter of fact, both Galaxy S and Galaxy Note handsets paved the way to Samsung's breakthrough success against its competitors including Apple's iPhone, which is known for its relatively smaller display amidst the growing demand for monster phones.

IB Times reported that although Samsung Galaxy Note devices do not really sell in large quantities compared to its Galaxy S cousins, the phablet handsets are up to par with its LG and HTC competitors, adding that the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is projected to surpass HTC One mini and the rumored HTC One Max, a phablet reportedly designed to compete in the monster phone market.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - features and performance

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is one of the hottest pieces of mobile technology recently. Samsung has packed so many good stuff in this 5.7-incher that enthusiasts can't really wait to personally experience what the new handset has to offer. The device is a complete upgrade of Note 2 in terms of display resolution. While its predecessor sports a 720x1280 resolution and 267 ppi, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 flaunts a 1080x1920 display with 386 pixel density, making it one of the advanced smartphones capable of true HD display.

The handset runs on 1.9 GHz octa-core processor for the international variant while the LTE is equipped with a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor clocked at 2.3 GHz and an Adreno 330 GPU. Technically speaking, the processor and graphics chipset of this device enable it to run intense 3D graphics for a more immersive and butter smooth gaming experience.

Galaxy Note 3 comes with 3 GB of RAM, enhancing its multitasking capabilities. The 32 GB internal storage and 64 GB expandable via microSD memory are decent enough for people who like storing an extensive collection of music, video, and documents. The 13 MP main camera complemented with a 2 MP front-facing one gives the handset an obvious distinction from its predecessors. Note 3's camera technology is loaded with brand new features and a backside illumination sensor. Moreover, the rear-facing camera supports 4K resolution and 1080p HD video recording at 60 fps max.

In terms of operating system, Galaxy Note 3 takes the lead with its Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out-of-the-box OS, which packs in all the features of Android Jelly Bean including: Google Now, Project Butter, Daydream, Lockscreen Widgets, Bluetooth Smart, and OpenGL ES 3.0. Recent reports also stated that the new handset will be the first to receive a 4.4 Android KitKat update once Google finally releases the source code for the said OS.

Since it's a given that Galaxy Note 3 boasts multiple functionality in its larger screen display, Samsung has ensured that its user experience is not compromised by installing a 3,2000 mAh battery unit that is backed up by built-in battery saving mode.

A closer look at Samsung Galaxy Gear

Samsung not only made a good phablet competitor through its Galaxy Note 3 installment, but also a techie smartwatch to make the market competition even tougher. Samsung's Galaxy Gear smartwatch is a classy wristwatch device with relatively multiple features closely tied or paired up with its smartphone counterpart.

From the get-go, Samsung Galaxy Gear's unveiling received a lot of negative feedback, especially that although the techie gadget sports a metallic frame for its body, the flexible plastic strap has been rumored to be quite uncomfortable to the hands. In KnowYourMobile's review of the smartwatch, it even noted that the slippery plastic is not only disappointing because it is a reminiscent of the flexible glossy plastic covers Samsung had for its previous high-end handsets, but also because it does not go quite well with the new plush leather effect the company has incorporated into its Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 devices.

However, in terms of specs, Samsung Galaxy Gear takes on the lead from its smartwatch competitors. With its decent 800 MHz processor and 1.63-inch Super AMOLED display (320x320), the device is capable of performing smoothly jumping between screen displays, designed with sharp contrast against its black depth, giving the handset very good viewing angles.

Samsung has confirmed earlier that the inspiration for the watch was drawn from a century old concept, thus explains its white text on black background display. This is probably the reason behind its stellar performance since it does not show much intensive stuff or carry out technically cumbersome processes.

Pre-order and release dates

Major US carriers have already announced early September Samsung Galaxy Note 3's availability for pre-order. AT&T has opened its pre-order page for the handset that will be available for $299.99 on a two-year contract or $35 a month deal with its AT&T Next Program, Sept. 6. The carrier also announced that shipping is expected to begin "around October 1st." Meanwhile, Verizon, which has not yet specified its pricing for the phablet, said that it will begin shipping on October 10th.

T-Mobile declared that it will begin shipping the smartphone on October 2nd and that it will be available for $199 up front and consequently $21 a month two-year contract. Meanwhile, Sprint has announced it will start offering the Galaxy Note 3 "this fall."

Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch will be available for $299.99, although release dates are yet to be confirmed "in the coming weeks." Both T-Mobile and AT&T has already acknowledged that they will be offering the device in the market. On the other hand, Verizon specified that it will include Galaxy Gear in the Galaxy Note 3 bundle for $599.98 with a two-year contract or the smartphone. Nonetheless, T-Mobile has said recently that it will offer the smartwatch for free provided its customers will sign up for its T-Mobile page.

IGN reported that the Galaxy Gear will be sold in any retailer, adding that the smartwatch does not require a contract or a wireless service.