Skip to main content

The Galaxy Note 7’s Edge-only design may hint at things to come for Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
The Galaxy Note 7, Samsung’s latest smartphone to be announced, only comes with a curved-edge screen. Even if you want a flat-screen version, you can’t have one because Samsung doesn’t make one — and it could signal a shift in strategy that will eventually filter down to the Galaxy S range of smartphones.

That’s the impression given by Samsung’s President of Mobile Communications Dong-jin Koh, when he was quoted as saying the company has, “considered that it would make the Edge display as the identity of the Galaxy S lineup,” by the Korea Herald during the Note 7’s launch in New York.  Currently, Samsung produces the Galaxy S7 and the S7 Edge, two versions of essentially the same phone, outside of the curved display.

Recommended Videos

The Note range was the testbed for the Edge screen itself, appearing first on a version of the Note 4 at the end of 2014, before making its way to the Galaxy S6 Edge in mid-2015. Does this mean that in 2017, only a curved screen Galaxy S8 will arrive? And if it does, will the Edge name remain or like it has on the Note 7, become a thing of the past? Nothing is certain yet, and there’s still one key aspect Samsung wants to get right. Koh continued to say that the Galaxy S range would only go Edge-only if it, “can provide consumers a differentiated user experience through software and user-friendly functions.”

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Samsung’s struggled to make full use of the curved screen so far, outside of it looking stunning, but recent updates for Android 6.0 have increased its usefulness. This hasn’t stopped people flocking to the Galaxy S7 Edge over the standard flat Galaxy S7, and for the pair to surpass the Apple iPhone in popularity.

Beyond its curved edge screens, Samsung is also working on flexible displays, and rumors are we’ll see the first examples of these bendy phones early next year.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
If you buy the Galaxy S25, you may get a free Gemini Advanced subscription
Leaked render of Samsung Galaxy S25 and its Plus variant.

We’re a few weeks away from Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series reveal, which appears to be happening on January 22, 2025. But the latest report from Android Authority seems to shift focus from hardware specs to more AI goodies, as an APK teardown has revealed the possibility of the S25 including free Gemini Advanced.

These trials for Gemini Advanced subscriptions would be unlocked when purchasing a Galaxy S25 device, which we expect to be the S25, S25 Plus, and S25 Ultra. The length of the trial depends on the device, similar to what Google did with its own Pixel 9 series.

Read more
The Samsung Galaxy S25 may get a potentially lifesaving car crash safety feature
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's camera lenses.

Your phone is packed full of features that you're probably glad to have, but you hope you never need to use. For example, features that help you find a lost phone. Then there are the safety features. Samsung has been behind in terms of crash detection, with Pixel and iPhone taking the lead — but now a new leak suggests the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra could have a car crash detection system.

This isn't a new feature. Samsung has worked to implement crash detection in previous phones, with both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 5 featuring sensors, but not the necessary software to power them. Android Authority spotted documentation that indicates the inclusion of a car crash sensor, but that doesn't mean it will work.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: everything we know so far
A person holding the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, showing the bottom.

Samsung's January Galaxy Unpacked event is just around the corner. We know the event will show off the Galaxy S25 lineup, but there's a chance that it could also unveil the long-rumored Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim (and maybe give us a proper name for it besides the rumored title).

We've been following the rumors about this handset for a long time, and we've gathered quite a bit of information about the Galaxy S25 Slim. If you're curious about its specs, potential release window, and everything else we know, read on.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim: possible release date

Read more