Samsung Electronics launched the Galaxy Note 9 on Aug. 9, a couple weeks earlier in the year than the previous Note model in 2017. The earlier-than-usual launch was aimed at stealing some of the thunder from Apple, which usually launches new iPhones in September.

This year, the Korean tech firm will stick to the August launch for the Note 10, sources said on March 26.

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“The mass production of the Note 10 is scheduled to start in earnest in early August, and the smartphone will hit the shelves late August or early September, depending on the region,” an industry source close to the matter told The Investor.

Although the detailed specifications could change before the release, the Note 10 will look similar to rendered images of the smartphone that have recently circulated online, the source said.

One of the leaked images of the alleged Note 10 showed that the smartphone has a punchhole camera cutout with a dual camera setup on the top right-hand side of the front while featuring four camera lenses on the back.

Samsung’s Galaxy S10 and S10+, released in late February this year, pack a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens, 16MP ultra-wide lens, and 12MP telephoto lens.

In addition to a triple camera setup, the Note 10 will likely have a time-of-flight sensor for depth mapping, which enables augmented reality functions.

Among other standout features is a so-called “keyless,” or “buttonless,” design, according to local news outlet ETNews on March 26.

It is forecast that the tenth edition of the Note series will have no physical button--even the power and volume keys usually located on the sides of Samsung smartphones.

All the physical keys will be replaced by touch sensors and solutions incorporated in the screen, meaning users will have to adjust the volume and turn on and off the device via the screen, or by voice command.

Samsung is said to be considering whether to deploy a force-touch solution developed by Chinese company New Degree Technology.

“The only issue in adopting the force touch solution is its expensive price,” an industry source was quoted by ETNews as saying.

Samsung also plans to apply the buttonless design to its mid-range smartphones, including the Galaxy A lineup.

The company refused to confirm the planned launch schedule and the specifications of the next-generation Note.

By Park Ga-young and Kim Young-won (gypark@heraldcorp.com) (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)