What ever happened to smartphones that were comfortably pocketable? Don't ask Samsung, as it's still too busy raking in the profits off its Galaxy Note range of mini-tablet-sized handsets. Phablets, as most people call them, have risen to dominance in world smartphone market.

In a smartphone market that's expanding at a breakneck pace and offers a wide variety of choices, Samsung's Galaxy Note II is somewhat unique. For the longest time, companies were offering phones which sacrificed performance sets in order to achieve the smallest hardware footprint possible.

Imo the best android phone. If you like huge screens :)

The second of Samsung's big phones to be released, the Galaxy Note 2 is one massive device. Featuring a 5.5 inch screen, you'll never call the 4.8 inch Galaxy S3 a big phone again, and while that huge display is one of the reasons to draw you to the Note II, it's the little things and performance...

Strong performance in the operating system; Fantastically fast 4G connection; Just over a day's battery life on 4G; more if you use your phone less; One handed operation mode makes it possible to use the phone's core functions with one hand; Split-screen multitasking works a treat; Homescreens that...

Screen resolution isn't as high as last Note; Not every app can go to split-screen; Android exhibits the same bugs in the 4G S3; so you can't switch out your dock shortcuts

Last year, Samsung single-handedly transformed the hybrid phone/tablet into a viable form factor with the release of the Galaxy Note . The huge, stylus-toting smartphone was a surprise hit with consumers, amassing sales of more than ten million units worldwide.

Samsung's Galaxy Note II can be accurately described as a Galaxy S III on steroids with a similar design but a much larger 5.5-inch screen and S Pen stylus. The device takes most of the features and apps of the Galaxy S III and offers them on a grander scale but also adds some unique features of its...

Product arrived in good time and was as advertised.... (cracked screen)subsequent additional cost to repair screen made total cost marginal value.

Really good building quality, big but good in hand. The design is a bit better than the S8 as the display does not curve as much at the edges. I can not find much to complain about, except maybe the price. Definitely worth it if you come from any old dock. Offscreen memo is smooth.

It's pretty obvious that design-wise, the Note II is inspired by the GS3. It's all about the plastic body, rounded corners, and thin bezels. In an attempt at the "premium" look, Samsung has added a flashy metallic finish (like what you see on Whirlpool refrigerators).

Brilliant screen; Excellent performance; Extensive multimedia support; Great battery life; Packed with features

Uncomfortable for single-handed use; Feels too plasticky; S-Voice is worse than Siri

This is a big one! Quite literally as it turns out as Samsung continues to push the limits of what we consider an acceptable size for a smartphone. The Note II or GT-N7100 polishes off most of the shortcomings of the Note N7000 along with a little flavour from the Galaxy S III and a sprinkle of...