ZTE building two Galaxy Note-style 'phablets'

Underdog Android phone manufacturer ZTE is reportedly cooking up two massive smart phones, boasting 'phablet'-size screen real estate that could rival the Samsung Galaxy Note.

The news comes via Reuters, which reckons the Skate-making company is plotting to launch the duo of enormo-phones before the end of the year.

"We want to come up with the next generation of a Galaxy Note-type product," ZTE's head of handset strategy said. "A combo product of handsets and tablets."

Zero points for originality then, but ZTE has crafted a few tasty gadgets in recent times -- the ZTE Skate is a decent smart phone, while the Skate Acqua is set to offer an attractive screen and a price tag that won't make your money leap out of your wallet and try to escape under the door.

As such, I'm intrigued to see what ZTE can cook up. The company crept into the smart phone market making budget-friendly phones for operators -- the same way HTC got started.

The problem, as you might have guessed, is that not many people have heard of the China-based company. Shoppers looking for a new gadget to fill their pockets have, on the other hand, heard of companies like Samsung, HTC or Apple.

While I know many folks out there are hungry for bigger and bigger screens, the Galaxy Note is likely to stop even the most pixel-hungry gadgeteers in their tracks -- it's absolutely huge, and if you use it as a phone you'll look like you're engrossed in conversation with a briefcase.

As it comes equipped with a funny little stylus however, the Note is perfect for playing Draw Something.

Are you a fan of massive phones? What could ZTE do to produce a desirable alternative to the Note? Let me know in the comments, or over on our Facebook wall.