By definition and description, a curved edge display phone is a smartphone whose screen has its side edges curved downwards such that it doesn’t have a side edge bezel. It is as if the display has a waterfall on each side. This is why curved display phones are also called waterfall screens.
Curved edge display phones have been around for some years now. Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge was the first curved edge display smartphone ever – and it had only one side curved. It wasn’t until the following year that the company released the Galaxy S6 Edge with both sides curved.
Table of Contents
Advantages and Disadvantages of Curved Edge Display Smartphones
Smartphones with curved edges do not have any significant practical advantages. As a matter of fact, it can be argued that they pose more challenges. For example, it is easier to experience accidental screen presses on a curved edge display. Also, they tend to be more fragile in case of impact. If a curved edge smartphone drops to a hard surface, it is more likely to shatter, compared to a similar phone with regular straight edges.
Also, they tend to cost more than phones with straight edges. That distinction in cost was more glaring in the early days of curved edge screens, but it is less so now, and we are now seeing them in more budget smartphones.
However, if there is one thing that made curved display phones popular, it is the beauty department. Those curved edges always added a special appeal to the visuals of these phones. And as a matter of fact, the early smartphones with curved edges were premium flagship models. To be seen with a curved display phone was to be associated with class and taste.
Another advantage of curved screen smartphones is that they offer better ergonomics. A curved edge screen reduces the effective depth of a phone when you hold it, making it easier to tap buttons or keyboard keys with your thumbs, particularly on bigger phones.
Smartphones with curved edges were the rage for a short time after the technology was first introduced, but eventually, the hype died off between 2019 and 2020. However, 2023 has seen a resurgence in interest in them. And this time, we are seeing curved edge screens on not just premium flagships and budget flagships, but on much more budget phones.
Most recent curved edge display smartphones are from phone brands that are not based or active in the United States of America. Most of the new releases are from brands like Vivo, Realme, Infinix, TECNo, itel, all brands that are strong players elsewhere – markets like India, Singapore, Pakistan, Bangladesh, malaysia, China, Nigeria, Kenya, and the like.
The Best Budget Curved Edge Display Phones Of The Year
As I already mentioned, curved edge siplay phones now exist in the mid-range, meaning that you do not have to spend over $600 to experience the waterfall design. Here are some 2023 budget curved edge display phones models that you can buy.
Vivo V29e – This affordable curved edge display phone has a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED screen with 120HZ refresh rate. It costs €300.
Realme 11 Pro arrived at the party with a curved display and a Dimensity 7050 chipset. It retails for $389 in the United States, is available from €329 in Europe, and sells from Rs 23,449 in India.
Vivo T2 Pro – a curved OLED display powered by the Dimensity 7200 chipset. It costs €250.
Vivo Y78+ – seems to be a budget version of the V29e. It has a 6.78-inch curved display with 120Hz. It is powered by the now dated Snapdragon 695 chipset. Price is from €210. This is a good option for you if you are based in Europe or Asia and you are looking for an affordable budget curved edge display phone.
Motorola Edge 40. Features of this budget curved screen smartphone phone include a 6.55″ curved screen. It is powered by a Dimensity 8020 chipset, the price starts from $415 in the USA and £390 in the UK.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo has a 6.55″ curved display and is powered by a Dimensity 7030 processor. It has a price tag of $490 in the USA, £360 in the UK, and €400 in the European Union.
Motorola Edge (2023) is powered by a Dimensity 7030 chipset and sells from $500 in the USA. It is one of the few budget curved edge display smartphones on sale in the United States.
itel S23+: With a €110 price tag in the European Union and ₦150,000 in Nigeria, this is the most affordable budget curved edge display phone that I am aware of. You can see a in-depth itel S23+ review for a more detailed look at this interesting device.
InfiniX Zero 30 5G: This is currently Infinix’s most powerful smartphone. In India, it goes for RS 28,990 for the 8/256GB variant and RS 29,000 for the 12/256GB variant. In Nigeria, the 12/256GB model seeks for ₦347,000.
Top 2 Premium Curved Edge Display Phones Of The Year
In this category, I present you with the most premium curved edge display phones of 2023. These bad boys and girls are for those who do not mind spending a fortune on the most powerful and most smartphones in the market.
Motorola Edge+ (2023). We have a large 6.67-inch curved edge OLED here and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on the inside. It sells for $650 in the United States of America.
Motorola Edge 40 Pro. With a 6.55-inch curved AMOLED display and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, this bad boy costs a whopping $855 in America, $710 in the UK, and €767 in the European Union. This is the most expensive curved edge display phone of 2023 that I know of, and is also one of the latest Android flagship phones of the year.
How To Protect Curved Screen Phones
I already mentioned earlier in this article that one major disadvantage of curved edge display phones is how they were more susceptible to damage on impact. If you want one, here are a few things you can do to protect it from physical damage, and then that wraps up this article.
- Use a case: One of the easiest ways to protect a curved edge display phone is to use a case. Look for a case that is designed specifically for your phone model and that has been built to accommodate the curved screen.
- Apply a screen protector or a tempered glass protector: Applying a screen protector can help to prevent scratches and cracks on your phone’s screen. A tempered glass protector offers even better protection against drops. Look for a screen protector or a tempered glass protector that is designed specifically for device’s curved edge screen.
- Be careful with your curved screen phone: Try to avoid dropping your phone or exposing it to extreme temperatures, as this can cause damage to the screen.
- Avoid putting your phone in your pocket with other items: If you put your phone in your pocket with other items, such as keys or coins, it can cause scratches on the screen. Try to keep your phone in a separate pocket or use a protective case to prevent scratches.
