Galaxy Note 10: Samsung leaks spoil launch of 'next level' devices

Smartphone maker accidentally revealed key details and hinted at 5G connectivity with the Note 10 and Note 10+

Several key features of the new Note 10 and Note 10+ have already been revealed, including through accidental leaks from Samsung (Samsung)

Samsung will officially launch the Galaxy Note 10 and Note 10+ later today, though numerous leaks of the flagship smartphone mean there is little left to actually unveil.

The South Korean electronics giant confirmed last month that its Unpacked event will take place at 4pm EDT (9pm BST) on Wednesday, 7 August, though since then Samsung appears to have also accidentally confirmed several key features about the upcoming devices.

Several official Samsung pages in various European countries inadvertently published details about the Galaxy Note 10+ in late July, such as which operating system it will run, the colours it will come in, and the storage options available.

The web pages, which name checked the Galaxy Note 10+ as the plus-sized version of the phone, have since been removed and Samsung typically does not comment on rumours about unreleased devices.

Other Samsung partners have also revealed key specs, including US carrier Verizon. An ad campaign by Verizon confirmed the Note 10+ will support 5G connectivity, with the tag line: “Galaxy Note 10+ 5G meets Verizon 5G.

These 5G capabilities appear to be confirmed in the official invite to the Unpacked event, in which Samsung describes the Note 10 and Note 10+ as "new devices designed to take the Galaxy ecosystem's connectivity to the next level".

Several leaks have revealed an Infinity-O design for its screen, as well as a powerful Snapdragon 855 processor. Other specs include a 3,500mAh battery, 8GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space for the Note 10, and a 4,300mAh battery, 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage space for the Note 10+.

A major update to the S-Pen stylus is also expected.

Samsung will launch the Galaxy Note 10 at its Unpacked event (Samsung)

One of the few things that remains a mystery is the price of the Note 10 and Note 10+, though a leak from Russia suggests the Note 10 will cost around £900. This would make it £100 more expensive than the Galaxy Note 9, which cost £799 at launch.

Other rumours hint that the Note 10 and Note 10+ release date will be on 21 August, though pre-orders will likely open shortly after the official unveiling on Wednesday.

Samsung is not the only major smartphone maker to be plagued by leaks, with major launches from Apple, Google and Huawei often softened by months of rumours and leaks in the build up to the official unveiling.

In an apparent attempt to take back control from the leakers, Google recently revealed some of the most central details of its new Pixel 4 phone, months ahead of its anticipated release date.

"Today we're giving you an early look at the technology behind two new features coming to Pixel 4 that make your phone more helpful and represent a next step in our vision for ambient computing," the technology giant stated.

The unorthodox move may also serve to undermine its rivals, with Samsung also anticipated to unveil some form of motion control with its new Galaxy Note devices.