about time vs later

about time

• Far past the desired time. 

• Close to the right time. 

• Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see about, time. 

later

• At some unspecified time in the future. 

• Afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time). 

• See you later; goodbye. 

• At some time in the future. 

• Coming afterward in distance (following an antecedent distance as embedded within an adverbial phrase) 

• Coming afterward in time (used with than when comparing with another time).