Is Sony working on a 6.4-inch Galaxy Note 2-like device?

A leaked image of what appears to be the outer shell of a Sony handset has initiated rumours that the Xperia Tablet Z-manufacturer is working on its own Galaxy Note 2-like device.

Samsung, much to the dismay of the Note’s original critics, clearly started something of a trend with its Galaxy Note-line of smartphones, with more and more consumers opting for larger devices.

Initially dubbed ‘too big’ by many, the Note devices, particularly the Note 2, have gone on to sell by the boatload both here in the UK and in Asia.

Huawei debuted its version of the Note 2 at CES 2013, known as the Ascend Mate 2, and now we potentially have one from Sony. According to Chinese forum Digi-wo, the outer shell in the picture is said to house a 6.4-inch display, one that the forum claims will be of the 1080p variety.

Further speculation suggests Sony may launch the over-sized Xperia at MWC 2013, which kicks off at the end of February. This is this first we’ve heard about Sony getting into the phablet – sorry, we hate that word too – game, but the image in question does look pretty legit - like it’s been taken inside one of Sony’s factories.

Either that or it’s a child wearing rubber gloves and holding a normal-sized device...