The Next Samsung Galaxy Note Might Be Nearly the Size of 7-Inch Tablets

The Galaxy Note III is reportedly going to be even larger than its predecessors. So large that it may cross a line.

The goal of Samsung's Galaxy Note models has been to skirt the nebulous dividing line between smartphone and tablet. The first two versions were more smartphone than tablet, but a report coming from the Korea Times indicates that the third-generation version may be big enough to catch the eye of tablet shoppers.

If this unconfirmed report pans out, the Galaxy Note III will have a 6.3-inch display. That's significantly larger than the 5.5-inch one in the current version, and close in size to the 7-inch tablets that have proved to be popular.

Too Big to Fail?

Unlike tablets, the original Galaxy Note and the Note II have been able to make phone calls. The upcoming extra-large version will likely be able to do so as well, so there's room for discussion on whether it could be successful. Would anyone hold such a large device up to their head? If not, could it be successful?

The factor to keep in mind is that making phone calls has been on the decline for several years. Smartphones are instead mobile Internet access points and entertainment devices that are sometimes used for voice communication.

Screen sizes on the handsets have increased steadily over the last decade, from 3.5 inches in 2007 to almost 5 inches today. These large displays foster web access, watching video, game playing, word processing, reading eBooks, almost every popular function.

As for voice calls, users can always turn to headsets, especially Bluetooth ones, to keep from walking around with a tablet pressed to their head.

Not Really New Ground

Even at 6.3 inches, the Galaxy Note III -- if real -- won't be the largest in the Note series. Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note 10.1 this fall as an out-and-out tablet with a 10.1-inch display.

With that in mind, the idea that the company might be planning a 6.3-inch version isn't much of a stretch.