Good to know, because I almost wondered how you could reach the far left end of an 8 cm-wide phone when your thumb only extends to 6cm.Actually, it's quite easy to type a text one-handed on a Note.
There's a one-handed mode that puts a smaller keyboard near to one side.
Admittedly, I was always intimidated by its size, and actually repulsed by its use of the Mac-incompatible (¿?) Android OS. But I never paid much attention to its finish, assuming that all Android were cheap plastic.I think you think it's bigger than it really is. It's only about the width of a 3x5 note card, it's thin, and has a faux leather back that helps with palm grip.
When walking that's the finest and least aggressive place I could find for the 3GS, with its rounded back, right next to my bus & metro pass card. Front pockets are already filled with keys, coins, and a somewhat bulky wallet. In winter I do have more pockets, including some large enough for a larger phablet (I assume).However, personally I would never put a phone in my back pocket. That's just asking for all sorts of trouble.
So does the iPhone, right? As I remember, the 3GS is actually underclocked by 25% to save juice, but still burns juice like an old-time V8. Sure the Note is thin, and with such a large size and plastic build, is it really sturdy?Large means larger battery, plus the Note has some unique hardware to save juice.
Seriously, the reason the Note is so popular is because it packs a lot into a tidy, thin, light space.
Cheers!