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Going back at least a couple years now, just about every major Samsung device has been surrounded by rumors claiming that the Korean giant will make dramatic changes in terms of its outer design language. The reality, at least so far, is that Samsung has dabbled around with slightly different plastic textures but largely kept the device’s looks the same as ever. With the Note 4 we are once again met with reports that Samsung is doing something different, though given the track record of these types of rumors, it’s hard to approach the claims without a hefty dose of skepticism.

So what design changes does the rumor mill suggest the Note 4 will receive? First, there has been at least a few persistent rumors indicating the company is finally switching to a metal design on at least one variant of the device. Korean media source ET News even goes as far as to claim Samsung is experimenting with stainless steel, aluminum and magnesium for the Note 4′s build. In addition to offering up more premium materials for the Note 4, the rumor mill also says we could see both flexible and non-flexible options, with the former perhaps serving as an unofficial successor to the Galaxy Round.

So how credible are these rumors? Honestly, it’s hard to say for sure. Given how many times we’ve heard this song and dance before, it’s best to be cautious about these lofty claims, but in many ways they make sense. With increased competition from metal phones and even LG’s push towards a metal-like plastic design, it seems that the time could (finally) be right for change. This is especially true when you add the fact that Samsung is about to post its worst quarterly earnings report in two years and Apple’s arguably more-premium iPhone is rumored to soon make a jump in screen size that could allow it to compete more effectively with Samsung’s offerings.

If we had to take a guess at the Note 4′s design? While we won’t rule out the possibility of a metal casing on at least one version of the device, it’s just as likely that Samsung will end up embracing a metal-like plastic design in a similar fashion to the LG G3. As for the rest of the phone, even if Samsung makes a change to metal, it’s all but guaranteed the traditional button layout will largely remain largely the same on the front.

Outside of the claims of new build materials and flexible displays, the rumor mill also suggests that the handset could see other visually noticeable changes such as new sensors including a fingerprint reader, heart-rate monitor and a UV radiation sensor. The handset is also said to reportedly pack IP67 water/dust resistance. While the likelihood of the UV sensor is unknown, the other changes were introduced with the GS5 and so we’d say it makes sense that Samsung would incorporate them into the Note 4.

So what can we expect when it comes to the rest of the hardware? If past leaks and Benchmark sightings prove correct, here’s a rundown of what we believe the Note 4 will pack:

As far as software is concerned? We imagine that we’ll see Android 4.4 KitKat at launch with an eventual update to Android L. It remains unseen whether that update will come in 2014 or 2015, but we’d guess the latter. As always, you can expect Touchwiz to be present as well and likely many of the apps and features from the Note 3 and GS5 will end up in the Note 4.

The only new software feature that the rumor mill has talked about in any detail is a new S Health app function that is integrated with the Note 4’s UV sensor. The idea is that the Note 4 will be able to tell users when the UV index reaches harmful levels and will give them recommendations (like applying sunscreen). While kind of cool, it’s also pretty gimmicky and, unfortunately, doesn’t happen automatically. Instead, you’ll have to hold the phone at “over 60 degree angle of elevation towards the sun against the back of the sensor”.