Smartphones are getting bigger as people use them more to watch movies and play games. A new one from Samsung is beyond big.
With a screen measuring 6.3 inches (16-centimeter) diagonally, the Galaxy Mega is almost as big as a 7-inch tablet computer. The difference: It makes phone calls.
Samsung says the Mega is a hybrid that combines the portability of a smartphone with the immersive experience that a tablet offers for movies, books, music and games. Phones of this size are typically referred to as phablets.
Samsung Electronics is known for big phones. Its flagship Galaxy S4 is 5 inches (12.5 centimeters), while the Galaxy Note 2 is 5.5 inches (14 centimeters). Apple’s iPhone 5 is 4 inches (10 centimeters).
Samsung is also known for offering a variety of devices, with different screen sizes and prices, to target a range of consumers. Because of that, it’s now the leading maker of phones. Apple, by contrast, has been releasing one model a year that targets high-end consumers. A new iPhone is expected this fall.
The Mega includes many features available in other recent Galaxy phones. That includes Multi Window, which allows multitasking in a split screen, and Easy Mode, which reduces the number of features and choices for new smartphone users.