Samsung loses their marbles, plans on launching a 5.3 inch smartphone

Samsung, who many know from their rather large portfolio of Android smartphones and HDTV televisions, is also one of the world’s largest component suppliers. In fact, according to a recent article in The Economist, of the $178 worth of components Apple uses to make an iPhone 4, 25% of that money goes to Samsung. Two “industry insiders” who spoke to OLED-Info have told the online publication that Samsung will introduce several Super AMOLED panels later this year that pack a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. One of the said panels will measure 5.3 inches diagonally and be used in an upcoming smartphone. Another panel, coming in at 7 inches, will be used to build a tablet, most likely one running the next version of Google’s Android operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich. Now these new 720p HD panels will be using PenTile matrix technology, the same stuff used on the panel in the first generation Samsung Galaxy S, and both the Nexus One and Nexus S. This will be a highly controversial point of discussion depending on which technology journalist you talk to, but in the real world no one actually cares. Oh and one more thing, thanks to advances in manufacturing technique, these new panels will cost less than 20% more of their Super LCD equivalents.

But back to the rumored smartphone. Can you seriously imagine shoving something with a 5.3 inch screen in your pocket? We can’t, and we sincerely hope that’s a typo. This writer recently got a chance to play with a prototype Nokia N9, which packs a 3.9 inch screen, and because of the way that device is designed, the total lack of front facing hardware buttons and curved body, it actually felt smaller than the iPhone 4, despite having a screen nearly half an inch larger.

So how big is too big? We’ve got a sick feeling in our stomachs that 4.5 inches will become the new “flagship” specification in 2012, and that’s just wrong.

About The Author

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

http://twitter.com/ihbrune Henning

The Galaxy SII feels amazing despite its 4.3 display. It probably all depends on who thin and light the devices get..
http://twitter.com/sndplace Steven aNd Diane

I would love to see this phone this year. And the spec sheet. 5.3″ depending on how it is used wouldn’t be that big. ICS like honeycomb has no need for Physical buttons. My Epic is 5″inch from corner to corner so it won’t be that big. Add maybe half an inch to it and its all good. I would be more worried about the battery size and life with this monster phone. Tech has blown up so fast but Batteries are still in the dinosaur age. Put a 2200+ mh bat and a cable free charging system with a solar panel back plate and i will get this phone on release day. On Sprint of course…
DinoBurke

Funny. The only thing I keep in my pockets these days are my phones. I carry a Galaxy S and a Iphone in 1 pocket each day with no problems at all. I have even been able to put the 7 inch galaxy tab in my designer jeans. So if that behemoth can fit in my pocket I will be willing to purchase a 6 inch phone. I think they should manafacture a 5.3 inch phone because I would hold off on my galaxy s2 purchase. I use my phone more than any other device in my house. I dont see the point in a tab at this point because it just does everything my phone can do except make calls. Plus I would have to pay for an additional data plan when when I travel with it so I would prefer to have an all in one device. Granted I am 6’2 and maybe that has something to do with the why I may like a bigger phone but I am sure I am not the only one that would jump on the opportunity to purchase a larger phone. I have had 2 Iphones before I switched to Android and the main reason was due to the larger screen size.
Anonymous

If it is an Ice Cream Sandwich device, there would be presumably be no physical buttons, thus more room for the screen. You could also decrease the size of the bezel around the phone to minimize increase in overall size of the phone. I’m not doing the math though to figure out how much that can actually gain you.
Sean_sweeney

Love my Dell Streak. 5″ of screen real estate comes in handy for remote desktop sessions. I had a 3.5″ Fruity Phone 3GS before and it was impossible. Not saying I hand;e a 5″ screen for remote desktop for more than 5-10 minutes, but that 5-10 minutes comes into play mor ethan you would imagine.
Raymond Nguyen

noob author, if you don’t like it then don’t buy it.
obviously it is not for you, but I will consider it.
Raymond Nguyen

noob author, if you don’t like it then don’t buy it.
obviously it is not for you, but I will consider it.
Cody Swartz

I agree with Raymond, if you don’t like it don’t buy it.

I love my Evo3D and sometimes wish the display could be even just a little bigger.
Anonymous

There is a possibility that the 5.3 inch display is actually the flexible AMOLED display we saw a while back. The demo unit of the new tech was actually 5.4 inches, but it makes more sense than having such a massive display like that in your pocket.
Tkt229

i love the idea
http://www.facebook.com/people/Ricky-Cash/501200926 Ricky Cash

I don’t know why these tech bloggers are so adamant about phones staying small. Those days are over guys. It’s all about choice now. The Dell Streak as it turns out is a great size for a grown man’s phone.