Verizon Wireless, like AT&T, will start shipping the Samsung Galaxy Note II in November, but its subscribers will have to wait a bit longer than users on competing networks.
The device will start shipping from Verizon on Nov. 27, while Sprint is scheduled to offer it on Thursday and AT&T on Nov. 6, according to the operators' respective websites.
All three want users to pay $299.99 up front with a two-year service contract. The retail price is $699.99 on Verizon's website and AT&T offers the Note II for $649.99 without commitments.
The LTE-compatible Galaxy Note II is based on Android 4.1 and powered by a quad-core 1.6GHz processor. It has a 5.5-inch widescreen display with a resolution of 1280-by-720 pixels; the device is 9.4 millimeters thick and weighs 180 grams.
That compares to the original version's 5.3-inch display with a 1280-by-800 pixel resolution in a package that is 9.7 millimeters thick and weighs 178 grams.
Samsung has also increased the size of the battery from 2,500 mAh to 3,100 mAh.
Reviews have praised the Galaxy Note II for its display, solid performance and camera. The stylus also presents the possibility for new types of smartphone interaction, particularly for users with creative interests, Computerworld wrote in a detailed review posted on Wednesday.
However, the bulky form factor can make the device awkward both to use and to carry. The phone's dated and hybrid button setup further detracts from the user experience, as does Samsung's chaotic UI, Computerworld said.