Image Credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd
The anticipated Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra may depart from its predecessors by featuring flat edges instead of a curved display design, potentially bringing back screen bezels.
This unexpected piece of information originates from the trustworthy source Ice Universe, who has suggested that the Galaxy S24 Ultra is poised to adopt a flat display with bezels measuring 3.42mm on the left and right, and 3mm on the top and bottom.
According to the tipster, this change would result in the Galaxy S24 Ultra having a screen-to-body ratio of 88%, marking the “lowest screen-to-body ratio of a Samsung flagship since the Galaxy S10.”
Ice Universe made a comparison between these bezel measurements and those of the Galaxy A54, which our review of the Samsung Galaxy A54 mentions as having rather thick bezels.
Samsung’s largest flagship phones have sported curved displays ever since the Galaxy S6 Edge, and all Galaxy phones carrying the ‘Ultra’ designation have featured curved glass on both the left and right edges. However, as per Ice Universe, the Galaxy S23 Ultra might mark the end of curved screens in Samsung phones.
We are still in the early stages of rumours surrounding Samsung’s upcoming flagship phone series, and the displays in early prototypes that may never become actual products can undergo significant changes.
Furthermore, Samsung Display, the screen manufacturing division of the South Korean tech giant, seems to have a roadmap that places a higher priority on bezel-less screens for smartphones.
Hence, it would seem unusual for the company to deviate from the design pattern it has set for its Ultra phones, especially considering that the Galaxy S23 Ultra holds a top spot on our list of the best phones, largely owing to its excellent display.
Display Design Analysis: Will Samsung Swap Curves for Bigger Bezels?
Curved displays were once regarded as an innovative feature on smartphones, enabling users to enjoy a larger screen area on a device with a relatively compact form factor.
However, for some users, curved edges have proven to be quite bothersome, either disrupting regular phone usage or complicating tasks such as applying screen protectors unnecessarily.
Eliminating curved displays would reduce the likelihood of large-screen smartphones feeling slippery to hold, but the trade-off would probably result in more noticeable bezels.
Over the years, we’ve observed phone manufacturers often dividing their flagship lineups into models with curved displays and those with flat edges. For instance, the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus feature flat edges on their screens, in contrast to their Ultra counterpart. This distinction is also evident in the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, where the former incorporates flat edges while the latter embraces a curved display.
Nevertheless, in the past year or so, we’ve noticed that the degree of curvature in display edges has become less pronounced, possibly striking a balance between the sleek, futuristic appearance of curved glass and the functionality of a flat screen. We have applauded this development.
We commended the Galaxy S23 Ultra for the decision to reduce the curvature of its display, making it more comfortable to hold. Conversely, in our review of the Motorola Edge 40, we pointed out that the curved display hurt the overall user experience.
Only time will reveal whether the Galaxy S24 Ultra will indeed mark a shift for Samsung by abandoning the curved display entirely. Anticipate that the rumours surrounding the upcoming Galaxy flagship phone lineup will gain momentum as we approach 2024.
