Dual-SIM Galaxy Note 5 up for pre-order, no microSD slot after all

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 has -perhaps unsurprisingly- become something of a polarizing product. On the one hand, it has all the hallmarks of the Galaxy S6, though on the other hand it has all the hallmarks of the Galaxy S6. More specifically, the device makes use of the same premium glass-aluminum frame-glass sandwich build, yet forgoes any option to swap the battery or expand the memory with microSD. Perhaps taking things a step further, the Note 5 also has deleted the IR blaster, somewhat of a curious omission given that Samsung has been so eager to include it in past products.

Rumors had been swirling around that the Duos (Dual SIM) version of the Galaxy Note 5 would include support for microSD, and reached somewhat of a fever-pitch this past weekend when a site mistakenly confused the Galaxy A8 with the Note 5 Duos. Unfortunately there is now proof undeniable that no version of the Note 5 will include expandable storage. Take a look:

This picture comes from Taiwanese website ePrice who has obtained (and reviewed) the Duos version. As the above picture clearly shows, the single SIM tray is home to two card slots, neither of which do double duty for microSD. The final nail, so to speak, has now been put in the coffin and hopefully this should put an end to the rumors stating otherwise.

As things stand now, the only “hope” for the missing support would come about if Samsung released a Galaxy Note 5 Neo, though such likely wouldn’t happen until next year. The Neo devices are typically modified versions of the core installments whose name they retain. The Galaxy Note 3 Neo for example, was essentially a Galaxy Note 2 in a Note 3-type design and with minor hardware edits.

The storage issue aside, one source is already reporting that the Galaxy Note 5 Duos is now up for pre-order in the Philippines, where it comes with “free gifts”, likely a wireless charging cradle or free download software, but perhaps something else entirely.

Are any of our readers intending to buy the Dual SIM version of the Galaxy Note 5? Were any of you holding out your hopes for the inclusion of microSD? Let us know your thoughts and reactions in the comment section below!