How can I decrease the font size of incoming messages on the Samsung Galaxy Note permanently? After the regular update of my Samsung Galaxy Note to Android 4.1.2, the font size in the messaging section is quite oversized.

By using the volume keys I can indeed reduce the font, but this setting is not saved.

My device is not rooted.
I notice this annoyance too.

Looks like the best solution is to enable volume key text resizing, and leave it enabled.

Once you disable it, the Messages app resets the text size to the huge (on the Galaxy Note, that is) font/bubble size.

This won't be noticeable on other phones; the real cause is that the GNote is big, which is what all GNote owners like about it. :)