Samsung is currently the phablet king thanks to the first two Galaxy Note builds and the company is expected to extend its rule via the next iteration, the Galaxy Note 3 that is slated for a September release date.

Latest reports suggest the exact Note 3 debut is Sept 4, with Samsung likely to stage its Episode 2 Unpacked event. Prior to that date, another phablet is geared for unveiling - the LG Optimus G2.

This week, fresh leaks supported earlier assertions that these two oversized smartphones are headed for a rough showdown in Q4 2013. Reports from SamMobile indicated that among the specs to be deployed with the Note 3 is 3GB of RAM.

It would have made the Samsung phablet the first device to sport such generous RAM provision, but according to Phone Arena, the Optimus G2 will beat the former to the race, delivering the same amount of RAM but hitting the market a little earlier.

The two's dogfight is nothing short of an epic skirmish and below are the additional features that make the third battle more interesting. (Note that in Round 1, the first Note was the winner by default. In Round 2, the Optimus G came out but was overwhelmed by the Note 2)

The hardware shootout

Samsung, according to reports, have finalised the following Note 3 main menu: a 5.7-inch screen with Full HD Super AMOLED on 1080p resolution, a 13MP main cam and a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 800 CPU or an Exynos Octa 5 with the same speed.

The Optimus G2, on the other hand, boasts of essentially the same specs, differing only on the screen size, which according to Android Community will not go beyond the current Note 2 mark of 5.5-inch. The same display will use the IPS LCD technology with an identical 1080p resolution, plus a pixel density of 423ppi.

But what separates the Note 3 from the Optimus G2 is the former's stylus weapon, which the latter's designers have decided not to mimic. Many believe that the next S-Pen edition is much better from the last rendition, specifically more responsive largely because of pairing with the super-sensitive screen display panel IGZO from Sharp.

Software prowess

Not only that the Note 3 and the Optimus G2 bear identical components, their behaviours are similar mainly because they stand on Google's mobile platform. Even the skins that sit on top of Android seem to blur whatever uniqueness the two present.

One glaring example is Note 2's Multi-View Window and the Optimus G's Q-Slide. While the implementation varies - Samsung splits the phone screen into two while LG cascades windows for quick shifting - the aim is to provide optimal support for multitasking.

Expectedly, these productive features will be carried over to the Note 2 and Optimus G2, refined and enhanced.

Platform superiority

The likely force behind these two enormous gadgets is Jelly Bean 4.2.2, this despite the likelihood that Jelly Bean 4.3 will be out in the later part of July, or roughly two months before their separate launch dates.

But it will be a race on who gets Key Lime Pie first for either of the two to gain considerable edge. Android experts are convinced KLP is a major jump, enough to challenge Apple's iOS 7. The gadget that will wield the latest Android first should be given the needed surge, which actually more crucial for LG being the challenger.

As for the current ruler, the Note 2 on KLP will only add fresh traction to the already immense headstart that it enjoys.