Who Says We Need Smaller Phones? Samsung Announces 5.5-Inch Galaxy Note 2

Samsung recently lost a billion dollar ruling to Apple in court, its stock price has taken a dip, and there’s a 50% spike in used Samsung phones sold to online buyers like Gazelle.com at reduced rates. Needless to say, customers are feeling shaky about Samsung’s products. With that in mind, Samsung needs to win back customers with their product announcements at Berlin’s IFA electronics expo.

The Galaxy Note 2, in both black and white, from 9to5Google

If you’re looking for a plus-sized phone, Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 might do the trick. The new model has a 5.5 diagonal inch screen, over the original’s 5.3 inches. No word on the resolution, but it should at least compete favorably with last year’s 1280 by 800 screen. The phone will also feature a Quad Core 1.6GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, a redesigned stylus, and a Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. There will be 16, 32, and 64GB models available, with support for up to 64GB of additional storage.
According to 9to5Google, much of the focus of the Galaxy Note 2 is on the S Pen stylus. The stylus includes new features, such as ‘Air View’ which displays quick previews when raising the pen over pictures and videos. It also features shortcuts that can quickly open emails to contacts by jotting symbols and the contact’s name.

Galaxy Note and the iPhone. Guess which one is which.

While size isn’t everything, the Galaxy Note 2 will put off the same customers looking for a comfortably pocketable phone. As with the original note, this will not be a phone that can double as an MP3 player while jogging, for example. But if you want a compromise between a phone and a tablet computer, and if you really need a pen-based input method, the Galaxy Note 2 might be your best bet. Hopefully it will be able to launch in the United States.