Samsung exec says the Galaxy Note 4 will feature a new form factor; confirms Android Wear device in development

With the global launch of the Galaxy S5 this month, the rumour mill is now turning its attention to the next big smartphone – or phablet – Samsung is expected to announce later this year, the fourth Galaxy Note.

In an interview with Reuters, Samsung’s senior VP for product strategy Yoon Han-kil, said that the manufacturer is looking to launch the next version of the Galaxy Note with a “new form factor” in the second half of 2014. Yoon did not elaborate further on what exactly that new form factor would look like, but Samsung is clearly looking for its next big breakthrough.

Rumours suggest that Samsung will utilize a curved display that folds to the sides of the device, although this rumour actually dates back beyond the company’s strange Galaxy Round, and was also tipped to feature on the Galaxy S5. If true, it is believed the display will be based on Samsung’s curved YOUM flexible screen technology and could display incoming notifications and messages at an angle as seen above in an old concept device.

It also seems likely to continue its current trend of dust and water-resistant devices, similar to the Galaxy S5. The Note’s stylus slot may present an interesting challenge in this respect, although it might be coated similarly to the Galaxy S5’s headphone jack.

The company has often brought new designs, constructions and materials to market with the smartphone version of the Galaxy Note which then make their way to other devices in their range, so this could be an early sign of Samsung moving away from its current design language. However, it could also just mean we’ll get a big Galaxy S5 in hot pink.

Android Wear

In the same interview, Yoon also confirmed that Samsung is developing an Android Wear smartwatch, expected to be released in the second or third quarter of 2014.

As you’d expect, Yoon didn’t give any details about the device’s form or features, nor whether it will again produce a wearable device that can only be used with its own phones and tablets. It could be another smartwatch, or perhaps it’ll be something else entirely – remember, the Android Wear concept isn’t limited to watches.

What would you like to see changed in the new Galaxy Note’s form factor? Would you like to see a Samsung Android Wear smartwatch, or something else? Tell us in the comments!