According to the Korean media, Samsung will launch a new 5.9-inch phone in the second half of the year. But is this the Note 3 or a brand new device?

Many have bemoaned the ever increasing size of smartphones, but, while it’s certainly a matter of taste, users have voted with their wallets, ensuring that the “phablet” is here to stay.

The age of supersized phones is upon us. Samsung sold over 10 million Note 2’s since the 5.5-inch device was launched in September. To capitalize on the popularity of the new category, other manufacturers have thrown their own, even larger, phones into the fray. Huawei and ZTE especially have the potential to disrupt Samsung, and the Koreans know that, which is why they will release an even larger, 5.9-inch device in 2013.

According to the Korea Times, the phone will feature Samsung’s much-touted Exynos 5 Octa processor. The display will be of the AMOLED variety, but it won’t be based on a flexible substrate, because Samsung Display is having trouble meeting the demand. I am not sure whether this means that Samsung is already churning out flexible displays for another handset, or if the company is simply not yet capable to produce enough panels for the new phone.

The Korea Times says that the phone will come in the latter part of the year. The report originates from a Samsung executive who wanted to remain anonymous. It’s not clear to me if the new 5.9-inch device is the Galaxy Note 3, or if Samsung wants to diversify even further its Note series with a brand new phone. Earlier rumors claimed that the Note 3 will come with a huge 6.3-inch screen, but it could swing both ways.

What we do know is that Samsung is betting big on the phablet market, with the Note series being one of the growth factors that will allow the Koreans to stay ahead of Apple in 2013. You better get used to big phones.