Samsung Galaxy S8 could be an Edge-only phone
A new report from The Korea Herald says that Samsung is considering getting rid of flat displays for their Galaxy line, and making curved-screen phones only.
A new report of South Korea fans the rumor that Samsung could do away with flat-screen displays on the Samsung Galaxy 8 in favor of curves. The latest scuttlebutt comes from The Korea Herald, where "sources" claim that Samsung is readying 5.1-inch and 5.5-inch curve screens.
If the rumor proves true, 2017's Galaxy S8 would come as a curved-screen, Edge-only phone, unlike this year's Galaxy S7, which comes standard with a flat screen (and curved back). The S7 Edge has the curved display and flat backing.
Samsung could even ditch the Edge nomenclature altogether as an "Edge" becomes the new normal for the Galaxy line. The smaller display could be used for the S8 while the larger display would be put on the Note 8 device; or we could possibly see a Galaxy S8 in two sizes, a Galaxy S8 and a Galaxy S8 Plus.
While other phones may feature rounded and sloping sides to give the face or back a curved feel, Samsung is currently the only company on the market to sell a phone whose display technology is also curved beneath the glass topper. LG did this with the G Flex and G Flex 2, but we haven't seen a modern Flex 3 yet. Being able to offer a different design, and one that seems to resonate with buyers, would give Samsung an advantage.
Samsung did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
The rumor that the Galaxy S8 would be a curved screen device has been swirling around since Samsung Mobile President DJ Koh stated that "Samsung has considered that it would make the edge display as the identity of the Galaxy S smartphone lineup" in a media interview.
It gained more traction after sources told The Korea Herald that Samsung is securing curved display panels for its new models. According to the source, the display panels come in two sizes: 5.1-inch and 5.5 inch.
Samsung has been having a rough month after it was forced to recall the Galaxy Note 7 over incidents of battery explosions. It's estimated that Samsung produced 2.5 million Note 7 handsets.