Amidst the all too familiar forms of smartphones being unveiled in IFA 2014 in Berlin this week is a device with a unique feature. The new Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is certainly turning heads with its strange yet possibly innovative screen that curves around its side.

So what exactly does Samsung’s latest experimentation that it calls a “curved Edge screen” do? Basically, it gives the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge a unified screen that’s split into two functionalities. The main, bigger portion is naturally where users can interact with the device as they normally would on a regular smartphone, while the secondary edge screen has multiple functions. It can, for instance, provide quick access to frequently used apps, display notifications and alerts, act like a toolbar/menu of sorts in some apps, and show the latest news and tweets. The phone comes with a software development kit to allow app developers to introduce more functions for the edge screen.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Specs

  • Android 4.4 KitKat
  • 5.6-inch Super AMOLED (1440×2560 + 160, Quad HD+), ~524ppi
  • 2.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 processor
  • Adreno 420 GPU
  • 3GB RAM
  • 32/64GB internal storage
  • microSD support up to 64GB
  • 16-megapixel main camera, with autofocus and LED flash
  • 3.7-megapixel front camera
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
  • 3G HSPA+, 4G LTE
  • Bluetooth 4.1
  • GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
  • Dimensions: 151.3 x 82.4 x 8.3mm
  • Weight: 174g
  • Li-Ion 3000mAh battery

Available in “charcoal black” and “frost white,” the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is a high-end smartphone that’s jam-packed with the latest innards. There’s a quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor for a speedy performance and LTE connectivity. The imaging department is well taken care of by a 16-megapixel main camera with smart optical image stabilization. Selfie aficionados will also love the 3.7-megapixel front camera; its F/1.9 aperture allows it to capture shots up to 120-degree wide angle. The 5.6-inch screen, with its Super AMOLED technology and Quad HD+ resolution, is also a beaut.

Indeed, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge is in essence the new Galaxy Note 4 but with a curved screen. As for whether that particular feature ends up as a mere gimmick or something truly useful, we’ll let you decide in the comments below.

[Source: Samsung]

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