gdgt

The Galaxy Note II is a huge improvement over its predecessor, and offers fantastic performance and innovative features.

... we're confident that our assessment of the global Note II still stands valid with T-Mobile's edition -- and because of this, it currently sits smugly as our top choice in its lineup. That is, unless the size is just too intimidating for you.

With a fast quad-core processor, a big, gorgeous display, and features galore, the Samsung Galaxy Note II delivers everything a huge-screen smartphone should. If you want a phone that doubles as a small tablet, it's the best you'll find.

Ultimately, the Note II involves some compromise because of its size--it's simply not a one-handed device--but its power and versatility are unmatched in the smartphone world.

Think of Samsung's Galaxy Note 2 as a big phone rather than as a tablet wannabe, and you'll come closer to appreciating its top-flight smartphone specs.

With a fast quad-core processor, a big, gorgeous display, and features galore, the Samsung Galaxy Note II [for U.S. Cellular] delivers everything a huge-screen smartphone should.

Samsung's Galaxy Note II for T-Mobile offers a gorgeous 5.5-inch display, innovative pen features and killer firepower, but you'll pay more versus other carriers.

All considered, the Galaxy Note II could be a nice device for someone who values a stylus or wants a phone with an extra-large screen -- but I'd suggest spending some time at your local store holding it and exploring its interface before committing.

Should You Buy It? Only if you really, really want something this size. The Galaxy Note II is still too big to be a phone and too small to be a tablet, but it's a very solid device for what it is (whatever that might be).

Those who like the idea of a larger phone won’t be displeased with the Samsung Galaxy Note II, a fine specimen of a smartphone. For me, it felt like I was trying to jam fine art into a tiny apartment.

If you must have a gigantic smartphone, the Note II is a solid performer. But the problems of the first-generation Note — unwieldy size, messy software, gimmicky stylus — still haunt the sequel.

It isn't a phone for everyone, but those who love gadgets will take to it, and it will change their lives.

If you can handle the large size of the Galaxy Note II, Samsung has produced arguably one of the best smartphones on the market. Outstandingly smooth performance, an improved S Pen and excellent battery life combine to make the Galaxy Note II one of the best Android phones we've ever used.

With an even bigger screen than the gigantic Galaxy Note and a superbly powerful quad-core processor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is the ideal smart phone for anyone who values a spacious screen above all else.

The new phone offers a bigger display and better pen functionality, not to mention a jump in core performance and – until Samsung can push out OS updates – a newer and more user-friendly version of Android and TouchWiz than its predecessor.

The Samsung Galaxy Note II is a standout smartphone with impressive specs, but its larger size can be a deal breaker.

So while the Note II is merely an iterative improvement over its predecessor it feels far more fully formed.

These three [battery size, stylus, and display] in aggregate make the Note II worth it both for those that are upgrading from the original, and for first time buyers.

It looks better, the stylus feels better and the tech has been bumped-up in almost every respect.

Ultimately, there's no getting away from the fact that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is a niche device. But it does almost everything it sets out to do perfectly, with grace, class and maximum functionality.

Ultimately, it’s the heavy incorporation of the S Pen combined with the deep features of the TouchWiz Nature UX that truly makes the Note II a one-of-a-kind device at the moment – mainly because there’s nothing close to it right now. Simply put it folks, it’s in a level of its own!

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is one of the best 4G LTE device that we had the opportunity to test, and the combination of a large 5.5” screen, LTE speeds and a good battery life makes this a rather unique and efficient combo.

At the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy Note II seems to have completed all it's here to do. Samsung have solidified its lead in the phablet market, while offering enough novelties to keep those already in it interested. There's also plenty of exclusive stuff too.

The original Galaxy Note wasn't a mainstream device, and neither is its successor. Nevertheless, the Galaxy Note 2 is the best large-screen smartphone available by a considerably wide margin.

If you're sold on the super-powered stylus and can deal with the inevitable stares, this is a great smartphone.

It's hard to beat the blisteringly-fast Samsung Galaxy Note 2, as long as you don't mind big things in big packages. If you want a phablet, it's the best one out there -- don't even look at anything else.

An excellent phone and tablet hybrid with a superior screen and improved stylus, but its size may still put people off.

Samsung created a great phone ...This iteration, while still made of plastic, sports the S III build and design, but packs in more power and more software tools.

If you dig the form factor and have the funds to score one of these devices, by all means give it a shot. The Samsung Galaxy Note II is a great device and you may even make a couple of new friends when strangers ask why you’re holding a tablet up to your head to make phone calls.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note II picks up where the original Note smartphone left off, and it’s better in almost every way. It’s faster, it’s thinner, the screen is bigger, the battery lasts longer, and the stylus support is significantly improved. Build quality and materials take a step...

With the Galaxy Note II leading the pack, future of the phablet category -and Samsung’s dominance of it- has never looked brighter.

While the original Galaxy Note may have had issues with system-wide lag, the Galaxy Note II is a smooth and dynamic experience from top to bottom. It's probably too big as a phone or too small as a tablet for most, but many will find it's a comfortable compromise between the two form factors.