Samsung unveiled its new smartphone/tablet hybrid the Galaxy Note 2 at IFA this year. Retailing for a hefty £530 SIM-free, the Note 2 targets the same top-end market, currently dominated by Apple's ever-popular iPhone 5 and Samsung's own Galaxy S3.

Large screen; reasonable camera and battery life; super-fast processor

Screen can very occasionally go blurry; S Pen can struggle with capital letters and spaces

Still a little too large for some, it's still a great device to help users enter the phablet market at a reduced cost.

The Galaxy Note concept has at last been brilliantly realised

Excellent display; Refined and useful pen input; Good power; Fast UI; Android Jelly Bean 4.1; Decent camera; Plenty of storage; Good connectivity; Highly customisable interface

Tacky and slippery plastics; Size can be awkward

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a huge improvement on the Samsung Galaxy Note and the best large format smartphone we've seen. With all the S Pen functions, Android Jelly Bean, nippy processor and of course, that largebattery, it's the first phablet we've seen that works as such.

The unusual form factor will put some off but, in every respect, this is a superb device

Back in 2011 when the original Galaxy Note was released, its 5.3 inch display earned it the ‘phablet' moniker, hinting at the fact that it straddled the line between a phone and a tablet.

The product has worked well after purchase but Samsung support was terrible and only after contacting CEO's office did the company start to try to resolve their failure to update their quick guide.

I bought Samsung GALAXY Note II around 2 years ago. Since then I have been using this without facing any difficulties. In my opinion , it is the best android phone in the market now due to its "note" feature. The s-pen feature allow you to write on some notes very quickly in your handwritten style.

s-pen functionality

bigger size

I fell in love with this phone the moment my partner came home with it. The S pen is a brilliant feature, along with the ability to split the screen for example using facebook and youtube together. The camera is amazing at an 8mp quality.

What more could I ask from a mobile. Absolutely brilliant. Plus Mobilefun , as usual, shipped and delivered within 2 days. Excellent service.