El Samsung Galaxy Note Edge It is one of the new smartphones that the company has presented, which stands out for having a section of the curved screen, the one on the far right. It seemed like it was going to be a limited edition, due to the difficulty of manufacturing it, but the curious thing is that its clone is now a reality, priced at $250.
The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge doesn't seem like the easiest smartphone to come by. Apparently, there are going to be many important countries that will not have the new smartphone, and although it seems that Spain would be one of the few that units would reachNeither does that mean that we will be able to buy one, especially taking into account the possible price. Everything seemed to be as a consequence of the difficulty of manufacturing this smartphone, with a curved screen that so far we have not seen in any smartphone of such a high range as the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge.
What was going to be my surprise when I met a clone of the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. Yes, a clone with a curved screen, and Full HD, no less. It is called HDC Galaxys Note Edge, and we can highlight features such as its 5,7-inch Full HD screen with a resolution of 1.920 x 1.080 pixels, its 4G connectivity, or the fact that it has 4.4 Android KitKat. All this without forgetting an octa-core MediaTek processor, which combines two quad-core processors. The internal memory is 16 GB and the RAM is 2 GB. All this with a 16-megapixel camera, and dimensions very similar to those of the original Galaxy Note Edge, 153 x 78 x 8,5 millimeters.
The best of all is its price, 250 dollars, which would be about 200 euros at the current exchange rate. It is available in black and white, and although we assume that it will not be a rival in the market for the Samsung Galaxy Note EdgeIt's surprising that any company can make a smartphone with a curved screen, when Samsung sells it as a novelty that can't be imitated.
Design, screen and Edge curvature
The key to Note Edge is your panel Super AMOLED with a curved right side that functions as an independent extension. Technically, the system treats the screen as two zones: a main one 2560 x 1440 and a side strip of 2560 x 160, which together add up to a high definition matrix. This curvature provides a permanent access to shortcuts, notifications and tools without invading the main area, and also offers a high brightness, excellent contrast and intense colors typical of AMOLED. Ergonomically, the curved edge moves the power button to the top to make room for the side panel, a decision that improves robustness but can be difficult less comfortable in one-handed uses.
A practical detail: the curved edge also functions as a night watch, displaying the time and notifications with minimal power consumption by keeping the rest of the panel off. For left-handed users, it is possible to rotate the interface to interact with the curve, although the proposal was designed primarily with left-handed users in mind. right-handed use, something that is noticeable when trying to reach certain gestures from the left.
Hardware and performance of the original Note Edge
In its reference configuration, the Note Edge shares the foundation of the Note of its generation: Snapdragon 805 at high frequency with Adreno GPU 420, 3 GB of RAM and storage of 32 / 64 GB expandable with microSD. To this add connectivity LTE, WiFi ac, Bluetooth 4.0 LE y NFC, plus a complete package of sensors: fingerprint reader, heart sensor, UV measurement, blood oxygenation and IR emitter to control devices. This set ensures fluidity in games, video and multitasking, although the very high resolution of the screen requires more resources and, depending on the software customization, may appear somewhat heavy animations at specific moments.
Battery 3.000 mAh to fast charge It performs well for a full day of mixed use. In very intensive scenarios with continuous 4G, it may require a plug-in before the end of the day, something to be expected with such high-resolution panels. The back cover is removable, allowing access to the battery and slots. microSIM y microSD, a plus of versatility that many users value.
Edge Software: From Utility to Personalization
The curvature makes sense with the Edge-UX: sliding panels for edge apps and quick access, multimedia controls, tools (ruler, flashlight, stopwatch), trends, headlines, and more downloadable modules from the Samsung store. When you're watching a video or playing a game, alerts come to the edge so you don't miss a thing. interrupt the main content. You can also decide which apps to pin and in what order, and activate a mode blocking with message on the curve. There's a thin, permanent black strip that acts as a gesture "handle" for unfolding the panels; it's discreet, but worth knowing about. Meanwhile, the classic Android notification bar is still available, which can cause some confusion. redundancy if you duplicate ads in both places.
Beyond the edge, the differential value remains the same. S Pen. With Air Command, Air View, precise handwriting and functions such as Smart Select to clip and share content from any screen, the Note Edge demonstrates why the Note family is synonymous with productivity. The multi-window and software gifts (promotional subscriptions and premium apps) complete an experience very focused on taking advantage of the format.
Cameras: high-level quality
The main module reaches 16 SM to optical stabilization and high-quality sensor, capable of recording 4K video and deliver outstanding results in a variety of conditions: backlighting with good dynamic range, detailed interiors, and night scenes with noise control. The front camera of 3,7 SM to wide angle facilitates panoramic selfies and stands out for its luminosity (wide opening), with beauty modes and manual adjustments such as ISO, HDR and white balance.
The HDC Galaxy Note Edge clone vs. the original
El HDC Galaxy Note Edge It surprises by replicating the concept of curved screen and do so at an extremely aggressive price. Its panel of 5,7 inch Full HD, the chipset MediaTek octa-core, 2 GB of RAM, 16 GB internal, the 16 MP camera and 4G connectivity build a solid proposal for daily tasks. However, there are key differences with respect to the original Note Edge: it does not integrate the ecosystem of the S Pen nor the set of advanced sensors (fingerprint, heart, UV), its panel is 1080p instead of QHD and the software work on the edge is usually more basic. In return, the format, the almost identical dimensions and the price of $250 making it a striking alternative for those who prioritize design and curved screen without paying the premium of the reference model.
In availability, the HDC is offered in black and white and, by nature, is geared toward imports or unofficial channels. If you're looking for the full Curve experience with deep integration and top-of-the-line performance, fast charge and all the functions of the Note universe, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge remains the benchmark. If what attracts you is exploring the edge aesthetics and a part of its functionality at a reasonable cost, the clone appears as an option worth considering.
The value of the curved screen lies in how it integrates into everyday use: instant access, unobtrusive notifications, and useful customization. The Note Edge takes it to the max with hardware and software that match, while the HDC democratizes the idea with competitive specifications and a price hard to ignore.
