Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Rumors: US Retailer Claims 'Phablet' In-Stock, Priced At $750

The unlocked international version of the Galaxy Note successor is reportedly priced in the $750 range, but the names of these third-party websites have not been revealed. According to Pop Herald, the Galaxy Note 2 can now be purchased in the US, but the news site does not provide information on where to buy the device.

Online retailer Negri Electronics is currently offering the Galaxy Note 2 for US customers, but it is unclear if this is the same source cited by PopHerald. The Internet-based gadget store advertises the 16GB Galaxy Note 2 in both Marble White and Titanium Grey for approximately $754, matching the website's claims.

However, US buyers may want to hold off until the Galaxy Note 2’s commercial US release. Negri Electronics has garnered some negative feedback from its users, as website Ripoff Report cites in their review.

“Negri Electronics specializes in scamming their customers by selling used phones as ‘new,’” says Ripoff Report, who also claims that the website is involved in at least 10 “large public scams.”

Ripoff Report’s review criticizes Negri Electronics for focusing on the number of phones they sell, rather than the quality. Customers have shared mixed reviews online, including one feedback report from ResellRatings.com in which a user said the device did not arrive on time and came with a dysfunctional SIM card. In contrast, another customer claims to have preordered the Galaxy Note 2 from Negri Electronics and was “pleasantly surprised” when the order shipped on Oct. 1. The device was predicted to ship on Oct. 26, which is closer to the projected Galaxy Note 2 launch window in the US.

It’s also worth noting the unlocked version of the Galaxy Note 2 that Negri Electronics offers will only work on AT&T and T-Mobile’s GSM networks, and will not be able to connect to 4G.

But American Samsung users may not have to wait too long for the company’s flagship holiday device. The Korea-based manufacturer has sent out invitations for press event in New York City on Oct. 24, presumably to celebrate the Galaxy Note 2’s official launch. Samsung’s invite doesn’t explicitly mention its smartphone-tablet hybrid, but merely teases: “The Next Big Thing Is Here.”

This event comes just one day before Microsoft holds its own press party to commemorate the launch of Windows 8 and its forthcoming devices. Previous rumors have indicated that Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 and Nokia’s Windows Phone 8 Lumia devices may be released on the same day.

Samsung’s new 5.5-inch smartphone, which was unveiled at the end of August just before the IFA conference in Berlin, is already available in nations such as the UK and South Korea. The Galaxy Note successor boasts a 1.6GHz processor, a thinner and lighter body, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean out of the box among other features.

Officials within the company are expecting this to be one of Samsung’s biggest launches, predicting that the Galaxy Note 2 will double numbers reached by the original Galaxy Note and hit the 20 million sales mark.