Galaxy Note 2, iPhone 5, Droid Razr Maxx HD (And More) Release Date: What You Need To Know

By Sumit Passary | Aug 25, 2012 12:57 PM EDT

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Smartphone, phablet, and tablet enthusiasts are gearing up for an action-packed 15 days starting on Aug. 29. The biggest gadget makers are slated to launch their new mobile devices this fall.

Tech giants like Samsung, Nokia and Microsoft, Motorola, and Amazon have already confirmed press events before the middle of September, and Apple is expected to announce a press conference of its own during the same period.

Samsung Unpacked: Aug. 29 in Berlin

The South Korean gizmo bigwig has already released its flagship handset recently, the Galaxy S3. The device has been a hit with smartphone users and critics alike. Samsung recently released a video teaser of its next-generation device, believed to be the Galaxy Note 2, to be launched in Berlin next week. The Galaxy Note 2 will be the latest version of the stylus-equipped device with a 5.5-inch display. Along with the Note 2, Samsung is expected to announce an update for the Galaxy S3 that will bring the device to Android's Jelly Bean.

Nokia and Microsoft: Sept. 5 in New York
Nokia and Microsoft are expected to release the first Windows 8 smartphone in early September. Rumors suggest that Nokia will be unveiling two Windows 8 smartphones on Sept. 5 at its Nokia World event. One model will be called Nokia Phi and the other model is currently codenamed Nokia Arrow. Nokia Phi is expected to have a curved 4.7-inch AMOLED display, which will be the biggest Nokia screen to date.

Motorola: Sept. 5 in New York
Google-owned Motorola and Verizon recently sent invites for a press event on Sept. 5 in New York. This date clashes with Nokia's World event scheduled for the same date. Smartphone observers predict that Motorola may launch the rumored Droid Razr HD and Droid Razr Maxx HD at the event. Rumors indicate that both devices will have a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor and will include a 13-megapixel camera.

Amazon: Sept. 6 in Santa Monica
Amazon is holding an event expected to ignite the tablet battle with the launch of a new version of its Kindle Fire tablet. The arrival of Google's Nexus 7 has given stiff competition to Kindle Fire, and Amazon will try hard to lure tablet users with the new Kindle Fire tablet. Some tech experts conjecture that an Amazon mobile phone could also be on the way.

Apple: Sept. 12 in San Francisco (Purported)
Even though Apple has not made any official announcement regarding a press event, rumors are flying thick and fast about the design and specs of the fabled iPhone 5, giving iFans a reasons to believe that the next iPhone will debut on Sept. 12. Whispers suggest that Apple will launch the iPhone 5 along with an iPad Mini on Sept. 12, followed by a release on Sept. 21.

Over 125 million smartphones have been sold in Q2 2012. This figure gives smartphone makers an added reason to enhance their devices and get something new on board, which will entice consumers and tech gurus alike.