Update (Australian release not definite): Samsung debuts Galaxy Note II

Editor’s Update: I asked Samsung if the Galaxy Note II was coming to Australia. While we can probably assume that the Note II will come down under, Sammy are being very tight-lipped at the moment. Here’s what they had to say:

Samsung is delighted in the response from consumers in regards to the GALAXY Note 2 following IFA 2012. A decision has not yet been made whether this product will be made available in Australia.

Samsung have finally done it. The successor to one of its wildest success stories is out in the wild. Overnight in Germany at its Unpacked event, Samsung have outed the Galaxy Note II.

Hence we can now confirm some well known specs: the Note II is packing a 16:9 1280×720 screen (as opposed to the 16:10 1280×800 in the former), which is also slightly larger at 5.5″ as opposed to 5.3″ in its forebear.

CPU wise the Note II takes a boost from the Galaxy S III and its quad-core Exynos is clocked in at 1.6GHz! This should surely get those apps humming along nice and buttery smooth, yes, I did mention butter, why?

The Galaxy Note II is the first handset to debut with Jelly Bean! Samsung even beating Google to the punch this time.

Did I mention the Note II also packs 2GB of RAM!?

Design wise, the Note II is heavily based on Samsung’s nature design principles we love with the Galaxy S III, and this extends to the nature-based Touchwiz UI.

On board are the usual suspects of S-Note, S-Planner and other Note specific apps. What is new, seems to be that Samsung have magically adorned the Note II with an S-Pen detection ability. Hovering above or around the Note II, it seems always able to detect the S-Pen’s presence and react without actually touching the screen. The Note II will even notify you if you are thinking of ever seperating it from its electronic stylus buddy!

Multi taksing has been taken to whole new level with the ability to run S-Note (or Pop Up Note) on top of other apps or video, and also run the Pop-Up Video, similar to the Galaxy S III.

The 5.5″ Note II also features an 8MP rear shooter and a 1.9MP up front. A more powerful 3100Mah battery is also there to keep you going all day long. Initial hands on impressions report a much nicer and more fluid experience, exceptional build quality, and an all in more immersive experience.

Samsung have advised shipping to commence from early October in Asia, Europe and the Middle East; with the US to follow about a month later.

Watch this space, mine is already reserved and I can’t wait to tear it right down.