SAMSUNG GALAXY

For the past few weeks, I've been carrying around a Samsung Galaxy Note II, the "phablet" that sits somewhere between a phone and a tablet. With its 5.5-inch screen, it's certainly larger than the typical phone I carry around, but I've found that the large screen makes it the device I check first for Web browsing, email, and some kinds of reading.
The first thing anyone talks about with the Galaxy Note II is its size, and at 5.9 inches tall by 3.2 inches wide by 0.37 inch thick, it is notably bigger than other phones; the Apple iPhone 5 is 4.87 inches by 2.31 inches and 0.30 inches thick and the Samsung Galaxy S III is 5.38 by 2.78 inches and 0.34 inches thick. Weight is an issue as well. The Note II weighs 6.34 ounces compared with 4.7 ounces for the S III and 3.95 ounces for the iPhone.
But it fits (barely) into my pockets, and that's what counts to me. Most of the men I showed the Galaxy Note II thought it was really neat, but most of the women thought it was too big.

This phone clearly isn't meant for everyone. For instance, it does look (and feel) a little silly pressed to your ear. Talking isn't my primary activity on a mobile phone these days, however; I more commonly use it to manage email, browse, and use apps. And that's where the device shines because the screen just makes these things look better.