Late August looks like the start of a remarkably busy period for Samsung, Nokia and Apple, who are all expected to be planning new product unveilings within two weeks of each other. These new devices should include some of the most exciting new smartphones of this year, including the Galaxy Note 2, the first Windows Phone 8 devices as well as the next-generation iPhone.

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Samsung kicks off these two weeks of madness with an August 29 pre-IFA “Unpacked” event. The company’s second-generation hybrid smartphone/tablet, the Galaxy Note 2, should headline this press conference, while the company is also expected to unveil its Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the Galaxy S3 at the same time.

However, it isn’t really known when the Galaxy Note 2 will become available to purchase. Going by the Galaxy S3’s example, it could take more than several weeks before pre-orders open for this device.

Nokia should go second, with its Nokia World conference scheduled for September 5 to 6. Recent rumors suggest that there may be at least two new devices running Microsoft’s latest mobile operating system – Windows Phone 8 – that will first see the light of day at the event.

Finally, Apple is rumored to be planning a September 12 event to unveil the sixth-generation iPhone. Pre-orders in the United States are expected to start immediately upon announcement, and the first units should be shipped out starting September 21. However, some international buyers may have to wait until early October to get their new iPhones.