Samsung Galaxy Mega with 6.3-inch screen finally launches in US

New York: 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 (17.8-centimeter) 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 Co 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).

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Galaxy Mega is seen in this file photo. Screengrab.[/caption]

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.

AT&T Inc. says it will start selling the Mega on Friday for $150 with a two-year service contract. The Mega is also coming to Sprint and US Cellular. Dates and prices weren't available for those carriers. The Mega made its debut in Europe and Russia in May.

Associated Press