Neil Hughes
First teased a year and a half ago, Samsung's concept for a smartphone with a slanted screen edge that can be more easily viewed from side angles is set to become a reality later this year, in the form of the company's new Galaxy Note Edge smartphone.
The selling point of the newly announced Galaxy Note Edge is its 5.6-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display at a resolution of 2560 by 1440. But it also offers an extra 160 pixels on the one curved edge, and is set to launch later this year in both black and white models.
The edge screen user experience offers revolving interaction, "immersive apps" including camera video and S Note, a ticker board, "express me," quick tools, and a night clock, Samsung said. The handset was announced on Tuesday as part of the company's Unpacked 2014 Episode 2 event at the IFA 2014 trade show in Berlin.
"The Galaxy Note Edge's unique curved Edge screen provides quick access to frequently used apps, alerts and device functionality - even when the cover is closed - all with the swipe of a thumb," the company said in a press release. "Users can also receive notifications directly on the Edge Screen while watching videos without disturbing their viewing."
Samsung's latest design will run Android 4.4 KitKat, and will be powered by a 2.7-gigahertz quad-core processor. The system also boasts 3 gigabytes of RAM, with storage options of 32 or 64 gigabytes, and a microSD slot that offers expansion up to 64 gigabytes.
The Note Edge's rear facing camera is a 16-megapixel shooter with smart optical image stabilization, while the forward-facing lens is 3.7 megapixels.
In terms of connectivity, the Note Edge will support up to LTE Cat 6 for 300Mbps download speeds, and it also includes next-generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, infrared LED remote control, and near-field communications.
Samsung first teased its flexible OLED display technology in January of 2013. At that time, the device was known as the "Youm," and it was showcased running Microsoft's Windows Phone mobile operating system.
Much has clearly changed in the last year and a half, however, as the Note Edge runs Google's Android platform, just like most of Samsung's other mobile devices. Of course, it will be Samsung's modified version of Android, featuring additions such as multi-window model, S Health 3.5, and a unique "ultra power saving mode."
Youm is a flexible OLED technology that uses plastic, rather than glass, as a substrate for the display's transistors. Some observers believe such displays could be an emerging trend in the electronics industry, particularly with upcoming wearable devices.
In particular, it's been rumored that Apple might adopt a flexible OLED display for its anticipated "iWatch," which the company is expected to showcase at its own media event next Tuesday. A flexible OLED display could allow Apple to include a curved screen on its wearable device, which could allow it to more comfortably fit around a wearer's wrist.
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
Wesley Hilliard
Marko Zivkovic
87 Comments
Only on one side?
Visually it gets a second look .. but functionally.. I have to wonder at the use cases.. 1st) Left hand use? 2) loss of durability of the screen? 3) Are you basically loosing that part of the screen to slide widgets? Last) What will be visibility in dark and outdoor direct sun situations.. Samsung phones are not the best in direct sunlight to begin with.. Guess we'll see when people get their hands on it.. I usually take any 'releases' like this as attempts to mute Apple iPhone releases though..
Can’t wait for all the accidental touches. I like how it’s designed to only be used in the left hand. That’s one way to ensure you don’t sell many.
Visually it gets a second look .. but functionally.. I have to wonder at the use cases.. 1st) Left hand use? 2) loss of durability of the screen? 3) Are you basically loosing that part of the screen to slide widgets? Last) What will be visibility in dark and outdoor direct sun situations..
Samsung phones are not the best in direct sunlight to begin with..
Guess we'll see when people get their hands on it.. I usually take any 'releases' like this as attempts to mute Apple iPhone releases though..
No, no - left handed holding. Right handed use. And it's "extra" screen, not a loss of screen! Get it right!!
And ultra super duper power saving mode - because having that other part on all the time will kill the battery.
[quote name="Tallest Skil" url="/t/182069/samsungs-wrap-around-smartphone-screen-concept-becomes-a-reality-with-galaxy-note-edge#post_2588573"]Can’t wait for all the accidental touches. I like how it’s designed to only be used in the left hand. That’s one way to ensure you don’t sell many.[/quote] My guess is the design is to mirror how westerners read, from left to right, which means books open from the right. You put a nice leather fold on this, put it on your desk or conference table closed and you can still check the time and other data with a quick glance without have to open it up. At least, that's how I'm envisioning their use case. edit: Can that edge be illuminated without the rest of the display being lit up? IOW, is it dual LED backlights or AMOLED?