Samsung's flexible screen smartphone is on the way, and everything points to its launch later this week. In fact, this new smartphone could have the name of Samsung Galaxy RoundAt least, what we do know is that this is the name Samsung has registered with the USPTO, the United States Patent and Trademark Office. As the days went by, Samsung has confirmed the project and has presented it as its first curved panel-based phone Flexible OLED.
It's unclear when the South Korean company will launch the new smartphone bearing this name, but for now, everything points to the new release they could be preparing for this week. Although we initially didn't have too many details about what it would be like, now we already know key specifications and the product focus: the flexible display will be the focus, and its curvature seeks to improve hand-held ergonomics and enable unique software features.
Most likely, though, we're not talking about a high-end smartphone, a flagship that rivals the Galaxy Note 3, as the South Koreans wouldn't want any of them to take the spotlight from the smartphone that should become the best-seller on the current market. That said, the reality is that the Galaxy Round comes with top-level hardware and acts as technological showcase more than a replacement for the Note range: its design is related to the Note 3, but does not support S-Pen nor does it inherit its advanced stylus functions.
Curved design and flexible screen
What would be the Samsung Galaxy Round is an innovative smartphone that would serve as a prototype to rival the latest releases from other companies, such as LG. The rumored features of this device were a 5,7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels; however, the official specifications confirm a panel 5,7-inch Super AMOLED Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080) made with technology Flexible OLED. The screen is mounted in a format concave and rigid that curves the phone from side to side, unlike LG's proposal, which curved from top to bottom.
This lateral curvature seeks a better ergonomics when holding it and a more natural grip feel. The design maintains plastic materials with a rear that simulates the Synthetic leather, very similar to the aesthetics of the Note 3, but adapted to the new curved format.
Specifications and performance
Although it was initially considered that it would have 2 GB of RAM and an eight megapixel camera, the final equipment has not skimped on power: it integrates a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 accompanied 3 GB of RAM, expandable storage and full connectivity up to LTE-Advanced. The main camera goes up to 13 megapixels and maintains 1080p recording, while the system comes with 4.3 Android Jelly Bean and Samsung’s curvature-optimized layer.
In physical figures, the Galaxy Round boasts 7,9 mm of thickness in its finest areas and 154 grams of weight. The battery is of 2.800 mAh, a smaller capacity than its cousin, Note, due to the demands of the curved chassis. In terms of connectivity and sensors, it offers a complete set: Wi‑Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with Wi‑Fi Direct and DLNA, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, GPS with A‑GPS and GLONASS, video output via MHL and compatibility with 3G/4G networks, as well as audio in multiple codecs and active noise cancellation.
Software features that take advantage of the curve
One of the differentiating points is how the software takes advantage of the format. Samsung incorporates Round Interaction, which allows you to display notifications to the tilt the terminal when it is on a surface. It also offers Roll Effect to check time, date, battery or missed calls with a slight swing, and gravity effect, which adds visual interactions when you tilt the device. Even the music player allows change song with a lateral touch taking advantage of the curvature.
Availability, price and colors
On the commercial front, Samsung is prioritizing a deployment initial in South Korea with the operator SK Telecom, in a finish called Luxury BrownThe starting price is around 1.000 dollars to change, which underlines its exclusive and experimental nature. The company may choose to communicate news and availability extensions discreetly, without major events, and then make more local presentations in selected markets.
Context and competition
Compared to rival offerings that curve the screen vertically, the Galaxy Round opts for a horizontal curvature to emphasize the grip and open the door to lean-based interactions. Beyond the immediate functional impact, the movement makes it clear that a curved design does not compromise Performance: It features high-end components and serves as a platform for exploring new experiences. This approach also positions Samsung as a benchmark in the flexible display race, ahead of other manufacturers in bringing a fully operational curved mobile phone to market.
Pending extended testing, what this release does leave behind is a unique combination of curved design, flexible OLED display and specific functions that take advantage of the form. For those seeking tangible innovation and a touch of exclusivity, the Galaxy Round represents the missing gap between the theory of flexible panels and a product that meaningfully exploits them.
