Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (LON:BC94) (KRX:005930)’s newest phablet with curved display Galaxy Note Edge is still rolling out in many countries. The phone’s edged display has garnered a lot of attention, and praise. Though Samsung had launched Galaxy Round with curved display last year, the Korean company only put the edge display to good use with Galaxy Note Edge.
The edge screen was inspired by the sport of fencing
Wonder what inspired Samsung designers to create the Galaxy Note Edge’s second screen and swooshing shape? CNET recently interviewed Samsung designers in Seoul to find out where they drew inspirations from while making the Note Edge’s unique curvature. The edge display is best explained by a real world diary and revolving doors.
But Samsung concept designer Sunghoo Lee told CNET that the curved e display of the Galaxy Note Edge was modeled after the sport of fencing. Lee’s design team knew that the flexible display underneath the glass should follow a “sensual arc.” They looked at a lot of real-world things such as air currents and ocean waves. And finally they arrived at the swoosh of a fencing sword.
Handling the biggest challenge in Galaxy Note Edge design
But the biggest challenge was hammering out the technical details. Designers studied the geometry of the curve and its effect on user experience in great detail. The main objective was to make it such that the screen could be viewed clearly from different angles. Multiple radial arcs (image below) for different parts of the Galaxy Note Edge would allow users to see the screen from different vantage points.
Another concern was the physical strength of the edge screen as the radial arc exposes more surface for breaks and drops. To resolve this issue, the device’s metal frame was made slightly higher than the screen where its edge bends. In case the phone drops, it would impact the metal bumper instead of the cover glass.
Why did Samsung place the edge screen on the right side? To give the feeling of flicking through pages of a book. It doesn’t mean that lefties can’t operate the phone easily. The Galaxy Note Edge comes with a mode that flips the icons when you use the device upside down.
