Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has been released in the U.S. Thursday, prompting some holiday buyers to rethink whether the phablet is a better choice than a smartphone. In contrast to another Samsung device, the Galaxy S3, what else could the phablet offer other than the obviously bigger screen?

Sprint and Verizon carriers are offering the Samsung Galaxy S3 for a special contract of only $100 (regular deals cost $200) via Amazon Wireless. Sprint will start selling the Galaxy Note 2 for $299.99 on October 25, while Verizon has yet to make announcements on the phablet.

In Australia, Galaxy Note 2 will be available in November, just in time for some holiday gadget shopping.

Here are some features that phablet users consider in choosing the bigger phone:

Display Size

Galaxy S3's HD Super AMOLED display measures 4.8 inches diagonally. In contrast, the earlier Galaxy Note's sports a 5.3-inch display, and Galaxy Note 2 went to as far as 5.55 inches.

Watching videos, browsing the Internet, and even productivity apps experience are always better on a bigger screen. Phablet users go bigger screen for better viewing and browsing.

Battery Life

Galaxy S3's is powered by 2100mAh battery, while Note 2 has 3100 mAh. For the non-techies, the difference in number already shows the winner. Considering actual use, ubergizmo.com reviewed Note 2 and said, "(T)he Galaxy Note 2 LTE only loses 6% of its 3100 mAh overnight (9 hours, 4G LTE on, GPS off)."

Smartphone makers are all eager to increase their products' battery life. But that's not easy to do when you don't have enough space in your small device. Phablet users find their gadget's battery more reliable than their smartphones' and tablet's combined.

The S-Pen Airview

Some people prefer mere touch over pen aids in using their phones. The Note 2's S-Pen, however, will allow you to crop a screen capture without having to capture the image first. You crop while you point with your pen.

Despite the enhanced features in a bigger phone, not everyone is keen on holding up a big device when making a call. The Galaxy Note 2 is not the kind of phone that you could easily slip into your clothes' pockets. At 180 g, it is considerably heavier than the 133 g Galaxy SIII. But some users can easily adjust to a phablet's size.

A phablet is like the mutant offspring of a smartphone mom and a tablet dad. It has the best of both parents, but it has its own quirks.

If you already have a tablet you may not be interested in the Galaxy Note 2 - unless you badly need a long lasting battery life - or any other features of the Galaxy Note 2.

So, smartphone or phablet - which on is right for you?

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