I remember the day Samsung showcased its novelGalaxy Note Edgesmartphone to the world in the fall of 2014. It was yet another large phablet-sized handset from the South Korean tech giant, but with a bold twist: it featured a display panel with a distinctive ‘edge’ curvature on its right-hand side. At the time, I didn’t think much of the Note Edge; it was yet another experimentalSamsung phone, but with a gimmicky proposition that, in my estimation, wouldn’t stick the landing.
Little did I know that this first Samsung Galaxy Note Edge would spearhead adesign movementthat would conquer much of the premium Android ecosystem in just a few short years. Fast-forward to 2016, and Samsung was shipping a dual-curved phone in the form of theGalaxy S6 Edge. By around 2020, high-end handsetsfrom the likes of Motorola, OnePlus, Huawei, Honor, and others were all sporting so-called ‘waterfall’ or ‘3D curved’ display panels of their own.
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge features a 5.9-inch main display with a curved wrap-around display on the right-hand side. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 805, the Edge includes a 16-megapixel main camera and supports the use of a stylus.
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In a past life, I was a curved screen detractor
At the time, I felt that ‘edge’ and ‘waterfall’ displays exemplified form over function
My first experience using a curved edge-style smartphone was with theSamsung Galaxy S9in 2018. At first, I thought the unique curved screen setup was equal parts attractive and unique. It complemented the handset’s then-impressive Infinity Display, which is Samsung marketing lingo for ‘rounded display corners and less bezel than before.’
Over the next two years, however, I soured on my Galaxy S9’s edge display. In daily use, I consistently tapped and activated things on-screen without meaning to, despite the built-in mistouch prevention tech employed by Samsung. Aside from this pestering usability issue, the phone’s deep curvature made it inconvenient to use with a screen protector – I had multiple tempered glass protectors simply unadhere from the display over about a year.
…my mind had been made: curved phone screens epitomize form over function, and the trend as a whole is one without merit.
While daily-driving my Galaxy S9, I was always worried about the delicacy of the device due to its prominent curve. Despite its dashing good looks, I knew then, as I do now, that curved glass is more fragile than flat glass. This made my screen protector troubles all the more annoying, and somewhat alarming. By the time I had switched over to a new phone, my mind had been made: curved phone screens epitomize form over function, and the trend as a whole is one without merit.
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What I didn’t expect was for phone makers to heed my wishes. Likely due tothe outcry of usability concernsfrom within the tech community, OEMs began to phase out curved phone screens as we entered into the 2020s. These days, even Samsung has departed from its Edgy origins, with its latestGalaxy Note 25 Ultrashipping with a well and truly flat display panel.
Most Android handsets pivoted in the direction of Apple’siPhone 12series: an industrial look with a boxier chassis design, flat display glass, and an overall angular appearance. And, so, my usability concerns became a thing of the past, I stopped experiencing accidental touch screen inputs, and life was good – or so it seemed.
…I think we may have overcorrected in the axing of the curved phone trend.
In hindsight, however, I think we may have overcorrected in the axing of the curved phone trend. These days, just about every candybar-style phone looks roughly the same, with a homogenized boxy aesthetic, flat, symmetrical bezels, and a distinct lack of personality. I was reminded of this when I recentlytested out the mid-range Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G, which includes a curved screen design that’s reminiscent of the one on my old Galaxy S9.
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There’s light at the end of the tunnel
There’s a new curved tech trend in town, and it offers the perfect compromise
After using the Note 14 Pro+ 5G, the positives of a curved phone screen (and a rush of nostalgic energy) hit me like a ton of bricks: the fluid feeling of swiping across a waterfall display, the narrow chassis profile that only an edge panel phone can provide, and the deeply immersive viewing experience. It reminded me of how much more character my Galaxy S9 had compared to newer phones, and I can honestly say that I miss living life on the Edge (despite my aforementioned complaints).
Luckily, there appears to be light at the end of this particular consumer gadget tunnel. Remember the 2.5D curved displays of theiPhone 6? Well, they’re back in style. TheOnePlus 13’squad-curved display is a modern reincarnation of 2.5D glass, and it offers the perfect balance between subtle and comfortable curvature, and in-hand practicality.
I suspect this new quad-curve trend is one which will gain prominence in the phone space.
I suspect this new quad-curve trend will gain prominence in the phone space in the coming years.Motorolahas just unveiled its Edge 60 Pro,which joins the quad-curved party, and I’d imagine other Android OEMs aren’t too far behind. As a compromise, I reckon subtle curves are the right way to go. Of course, my mind has changed before, and it might well change again – hardware design is a lot like fashion, after all, and what’s in style todaywill be old news tomorrow.
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