Skip to main content

9 awesome features of Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge (10 if you count ‘WOW’)

IFA 2024
This story is part of our coverage of IFA Berlin 2024

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note Edge at IFA in Berlin. The phablet is making waves thanks to the innovative, 5.6 inch screen that cascades over the right side of the device. The waterfall panel is designed to act like a secondary screen independent of the main display and can display a flurry of information without leaving the main page. The Note Edge is expected to be released in American markets late 2014.

Related: Hands on with the Galaxy Note Edge

Recommended Videos

We’ve put together a list of the nine strongest impressions previewers have formed about the Note Edge.

The curved screen makes information more glance-able

The bezel-less display could be the way of the future. Thanks to the right panel, which functions as an secondary screen independent of the main screen, a flurry of information can be accessed without leaving the main page. A simple left-swipe  will display stocks, scores, twitter feeds, and much more. The edge also serves as an “App Tray” that can stash your favorite apps in an easy to see place.

The panel streamlines media streaming, editing, and browsing tools

That common saying, less is more, applies here. Despite the actual screen size of the Edge measuring slightly smaller than the Galaxy Note 4, you’ll feel otherwise. For example, using the 16 MP camera or stylus app means having the editing tools appear on the roomy the fall-away edge, rather than cramped on the screen. The same thing happens, for example, when using the Google Chrome Browser. The chrome bar is featured on the edge. The rest of the screen is dedicated to  giving you more space to work with.

It’s still a sibling to the Galaxy Note 4

Despite being billed as the premium Galaxy Note option, it’s still unclear if the Note Edge will catch on. We think it has a fighting chance. Considering just about every spec matches that of the Galaxy Note 4. The Edge has a 5.6 inch AMOLED screen, (the Note 4 is 5.7 inches), slightly shorter battery life, and a 64 GB option (the note is offered with 32 GB ). What’s more is the 2.7GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 and 3GB of RAM pretty much guarantees that the device will yield a snappy device.

Open to developers could lead to some nifty innovations

The enduring success of the device is in the hands of developers. Samsung has released a software development kit specifically for the panel. But there are already some nifty uses (including a ruler and alarm clock) in addition to the Note Edge’s ability to reduce on-screen clutter. But it has yet to be seen if developers can create any real utility for the edge.

You’ll never be without a ruler again

5. You’ll never be without a ruler again
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The side screen comes with it’s own set of apps, one of which is a ruler that appears at the touch of a button. You can toggle between inches and centimeters. The curve makes it easy to line up against anything small that needs measuring.

You don’t have to give up your Stylus

The Galaxy Note Edge is cool but not too cool for a stylus, specifically the S Pen Stylus. it works like normal on the main screen, but can even be used to rearrange or open apps on the curved screen. Samsung doesn’t want you to have to give up precision for two screens.

It is completely customizable

You can put your mark on every part of this phone. You can change the wallpaper on the main screen and the curved screen. You can put your dog on the big one and a waterfall on the curved one, whatever you like, it’s your world, Samsung is just enhancing it.

The curved screen acts as an alarm clock

When you set your alarm for the night, the time will be displayed on the curved screen, so you don’t have to lift your head from the pillow to check it. Save that energy for when you actually have to leave bed.

You can actually own it

Unlike the ill-fated Samsung’s Galaxy Round from last year, the Galaxy Note Edge will be available on all four major American carriers. Release is expected sometime later this year, though no word on price. Samsung has marketed the Edge as the premium sibling of the Galaxy Note 4. Judging by the initial high price of the Note 3, we expect the Note Edge to be seriously expensive . We’ll update when we hear word on price.

Could the Note Edge’s cascading screen be the future of phones?

Joe Donovan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Joe Donovan is an editorial assistant for Digital Trends who covers a variety of general assignments throughout the…
Hey Samsung — I wish you had copied this OnePlus 13 feature
The Galaxy S25 Plus in Navy vs the OnePlus 13 in Blue

Samsung’s latest smartphones are finally here and with a few tweaks to the build size and weight — plus the addition of a new ultrawide camera in the Galaxy S25 Ultra — they represent some of the most polished smartphones that Samsung has ever made.

Yet, they also follow the same mold of Samsung’s previous smartphones and have launched amid a backdrop of intense competition in the U.S. and abroad. The latest competitor for the Galaxy S25 series in the US was launched by OnePlus just a few weeks ago, and having used the OnePlus 13 series for several weeks, there’s one key feature that I wish Samsung had copied.
The first OnePlus 13 feature that Samsung needs to copy

Read more
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S24: should you upgrade?
Thumbnail with renders of the Galaxy S25 in Navy and Galaxy S24 in Violet on a pink background

The Galaxy S25 series has finally arrived and with it, Samsung has taken a similar approach to previous years. There are three phones and with just a few small tweaks from previous generations, you may be wondering how the Galaxy S25 stacks up again last year’s Galaxy S24.

Both phones form the entry point to their respective generations of smartphones, but with the Galaxy S25 now up for pre-order, the Galaxy S24 has also received a small price decrease. Should you buy the latest Galaxy S25, or is the one-year-old Galaxy S24 worth buying? If you have the Galaxy S24, should you upgrade? Let’s dig into the similarities and differences to find out!
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S24: specs

Read more
The best Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus cases for 2025
The Galaxy S25 Plus in the hand with the screen on

Getting your hands on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus is super exciting. You’ll want to explore all its features and show off that shiny new design to all your friends, because getting a new phone (especially from Samsung's new lineup) is always a fun occasion. But let’s be real: the last thing you need is to drop it and ruin the vibe.

That’s where stylish phone cases come in. Whether you’re into something slim and stylish or need something tougher to handle life’s little accidents, the perfect case is out there waiting for you. We've rounded up some of the best options for the Galaxy S25 Plus to keep your phone safe and looking great so you can protect that pricey little investment.

Read more