Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Set To Launch Aug. 2

Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge: An Up-Close Look

Mark your calendars. August 2 is the day Samsung reveals a new version of its popular phablet. On Tuesday, the company sent invitations to media for an event in New York City with several clues as to what's in store on that date.

Samsung's Galaxy Note line of big-screen phones is perhaps its most important. While, to most people, the Galaxy S line includes Samsung's flagship devices, the Note series kicked off the phablet craze back in 2011. It has consistently showcased some of the most advanced technology available with each successive generation.

The Note 5 is the most popular Android handset in the US and the most popular Android handset in the world, according to AnTuTu. In the US, the Note 5 accounts for 9.99% of Android phones for the first half of 2016, with the Note 4 close behind at 8.32%. Worldwide, the Note 5 accounts for 7.82% of Android phones.

So yeah, the Note series is a big deal.

The 2016 Galaxy Note will skip a generation as far as the name is concerned. The Note 5 arrived in August 2015, but Samsung wants its primary handsets to share the same number. Since the S7 and S7 Edge arrived earlier this year, Samsung is skipping the Note 6 name so that everything lines up. The invitation to the August 2 event confirms the name change with the number seven visible throughout.

The Note 7 is expected to take on several features from the popular S7 series, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with 4GB of RAM, support for memory cards, a 12-megapixel main camera sensor, and an IP68 rating for protection against water damage. The 5.7-inch quad HD screen will be carried over from the Note 5 -- perfect for virtual reality content. The battery is expected to improve to 3,400mAh.

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An iris scanner is expected to adorn the front of the Note 7. Iris scanners are a biometric alternative to fingerprint readers. The Note 7 will include a fingerprint reader, too.

The Note 7 will also be available in an "Edge" model with curved screens, much like the S6 Edge+ and S7 Edge.

One of the Note series' core features is the stylus, or S Pen in Samsung parlance. The invitation sent to media includes outlines of the stylus, suggesting the phone has new pen-based features in store.

The festivities kick off at 11 am EDT on August 2.

InformationWeek will be provide first-hand coverage.

Announcement invitation.