A lot of buzz generated when Samsung released the world's first curved screen smartphone - Galaxy Round - last month. The company is now reportedly working on a smarpthone with a three-sided, wrap-around display, that will incorporate an upgraded version of YOUM, the technology Samsung developed for its flexible OLED screens.
The upgraded version of the display might be used in Galaxy S or Note series and, per reports, users might be able to read text messages from either of the sides as all the three sides of the screen will operate independent of each other.
If indeed a smartphone launches next year with a three-sided, wrap-around display, it will be a first in the smartphone industry. However, what will determine the success of this new breed of smartphone is the ease of use.
"Over the last five years, almost every smartphone has ended up having a very similar shape," said Ian Fogg, head of mobile analysis at IHS Electronics and Media. "The first thing this does is it enables Samsung to innovate in the design and appearance of the handset to make it stand out from rivals."
If rumors are to be believed, Apple too is developing new iPhone designs that will have bigger screen and curved display.
Besides Samsung, LG Electronics has also unveiled a curved smartphone called G Flex (the G Flex is curved on the vertical axis while Galaxy Round is curved on the horizontal axis) and we wouldn't be suprised if LG too goes down this route.
However, both LG and Apple will have their task cut out because Samsung is pretty much controlling both the higher and lower segments of the smartphone market and if reports are to be believed, one of every three device sold is a Samsung device.
