LG Optimus Pro 5.5-inch Samsung Galaxy Note rival snapped

LG is taking on the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with the oversized LG Optimus Pro, bigger brother to the LG Optimus G smart phone -- and here's the first official photo.

The Android-powered quad-core G Pro is a 5.5-inch behemoth of a phone, or a 5.5-inch mini-tablet, depending which you look at it. It sports a full high-definition 1080p display -- higher than the Note 2 -- to show your movies and games in eye-massaging detail. And LG says it's 2.5D!

Yes, 2.5D. Apparently, the curved glass screen gives things a slightly-but-not-really 3D appearance. Give it up LG -- no-one cared about the Optimus 3D phones because no-one cares about 3D.

LG already makes a large phone/mini tablet, the Optimus Vu, but indications are that it won't come to the UK -- there's no word on the G Pro yet either. But the Galaxy Note has been such a hit that LG will no doubt want to get in on the big phone/little tablet action. 

The G Pro was first unveiled by a Japanese phone network last month, when it was also revealed the 4.7-inch Optimus G phone is heading for these shores.

This week LG also revealed Optimus L series 2, the second generation of last year's disappointing L3, L5 and L7 phones.

We should see the new devices at Mobile World Congress, the annual phone trade show at the end of the month. The CNET team is heading to Barcelona en masse to bring you news, previews and videos of the coolest new phones.

Can LG produce a Note-worthy phone? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.