Samsung Galaxy Note II arrives Nov. 9 on AT&T

Samsung Galaxy Note II
Expect carrier news Oct. 24 at Samsung's NYC event

Android fans eager to get their hands on the new Samsung Galaxy Note II won't have long to wait: AT&T starts accepting pre-orders this week, and it will be in stores on Friday, Nov. 9.

First announced in September, Samsung's Galaxy Note II will be available on AT&T for $299.99 with a two-year service agreement, with online pre-orders for the big-screen "phablet" beginning Thursday.

AT&T and the Samsung Galaxy Note II are a match made in heaven, with the smartphone set to take full advantage of the carrier's rapidly expanding 4G LTE network.

Duly noted

Powered by a 1.6GHz quad-core Exynos processor - the first of its kind to land on the nation's second-largest carrier - Samsung's Galaxy Note sequel is thinner and narrower than the original while offering longer battery life than its predecessor.

Many Android critics still aren't sure if the even larger 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED display should be considered a smartphone or a small tablet, but regardless it's a suped-up device.

The device comes with the latest Android 4.1: Jelly Bean software, an enhanced S-Pen stylus and 8-megapixel, Share Shot-enabled camera.

The Samsung Galaxy Note II will be in stock at AT&T stores and online beginning Friday, Nov. 9; the carrier will also continue to exclusively offer the original Samsung Galaxy Note for $199.99 with a two-year agreement.

Via AT&T