Robert Triggs / Android Authority
We are spoiled for choice with great phones; Whether you’re after amazing performance, all-day battery life or a great camera, you’ve got the current market covered. Product integrity aside, phone aesthetics and ergonomics are increasingly different between models. One trend that still divides the masses is the issue of straight and curved edges.
It’s only April, and I used it a lot This year of smartphones, from the gargantuan Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to the tiny Apple iPhone 14. But plowing through all these reviews, I stumbled upon the holy grail of the perfect screen curve – if there is such a thing?
But before we get into that, a confession. In an ideal world, I agree with our readers; Flat screens are better. They look cleaner, for one. The content does not waver and does not disappear around the edges. You don’t have to fight against misregistration of back marks. The cases are flat, and screen protectors apply easily. It’s all true, every word.
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
The late 2022 ASUS Zenfone 9, Apple iPhone 14 and Sony Xperia 5 IV are some of my favorite phones I’ve used in the last twelve months. The flat edges look sharp and clean cut and feel equally good to use. However, they all have one thing in common; They are more compact flags and easily pocketable. Reaching the nearly 6-inch display with flat edges is, for me at least, easy while still keeping the phone safely in my palm. In contrast, larger phones with perfectly flat screens won’t work. At least not the ones I tried.
Flat displays are great, but only up to a certain screen size.
The internet has universally agreed that the 6.7-inch Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is, frankly, horrible to use. There’s no way to comfortably type this monstrosity, and I’m pretty sure the rough edges are responsible for a hole in my jean pocket recently. Surprisingly, the larger, gaming-focused nubia REDMAGIC 8 Pro is easier to use with one hand, mainly because it’s lighter, the smaller camera array makes it less bulky, and it has a grippier glass back. It’s a bit awkward, but you can balance the phone on your fingers instead of resting it on your palm.
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
It’s possible to build a slightly larger phone with straight edges, but you’ll have to sacrifice the big cameras and glass backs common to high-end handsets. That won’t happen en masse.
Weight, glass, and heavy cameras make curves a virtual necessity for one-handed use.
However, larger phones with curved displays are often not better. Struggling with the sloping edges of the Google Pixel 7 Pro every time I wanted to swipe back made me fall in love with the phone. Subtle curves look good, but make it hard for the phone’s edges to feel sharp. I’m also not entirely convinced by the HONOR Magic 5 Pro “quad-curve” approach, with symmetrical curved edges on both the front and back. It’s nice to look at, but again, they lack a heavy-duty camera and a grip that stabilizes the gradual curve.
I’ve recently used two phones that strike the right balance for me; The OPPO Find X6 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra both have close to what I like to call C-shaped edge displays. Their curve is slightly more abrupt, so there’s no gentle sliding off the edge of the display, while still helping you reach their ergonomically wide panels.
Curves aren’t always better, especially if you make the phone lack that reassuring grip.
You may have noticed that I said Galaxy S22 Ultra and not the new Galaxy S23 Ultra. Even small changes can make a difference, and Samsung has moved slightly towards square edges with the S23 Ultra. It’s subtle, but you can tell the difference when you hold the phones side by side. The new model is bigger (- rather C-shaped, if you see what I mean). If you’ve been pining for an asymmetrically flat flagship, the S23 Ultra might be perfect for you.
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
You can definitely feel the difference when using the phones with one hand. However, I’m used to the feeling of reaching for my thumb on the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s gargantuan display. The phone fits comfortably in my palm, and the extra curve allows me to reach the other side of the panel. It’s just manageable and reasonably comfortable.
If you’ve been pining for an asymmetrically flat flagship, the S23 Ultra might be your best choice yet.
In comparison, the flat Galaxy S23 Ultra feels more awkward to me. The straight edges don’t fit in my hand like the iPhone, and it’s much less boxy and heavy, so this design works much better than Apple’s. But it’s moved a little too far into the rectangle and you can’t easily get your hands on it. The phone isn’t thick at all, so this small change reduces the comfort I’m used to with the Galaxy S22. I think I’ll get used to it eventually. And who knows, maybe this will be better in general? Of course it gives the phone a little more soothing hint.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
New 200MP main camera • Beautiful display • S Pen functionality
Samsung’s 2023 flagship line Ultra release
Powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 as the smaller models in the series, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offers massive storage capacity and an impressive 200MP camera. S Pen support and a 6.8-inch display make the Ultra ideal for note takers on the go.
In the end, it all comes down to preference, and who am I to not enjoy a boxer on your phone? But here’s what I learned. For smaller phones, straight edges are definitely the way to go. If you want to fit a large phone right in the palm of your hand, I recommend a subtle curve as the way to go for better accessibility. If you’re more of a finger-balanced or two-handed typist, you’ll probably be better off with any giant tablet that takes your fancy.
TDLR: Yes, curves are nice, but there’s a limit, and Samsung probably just has it spot on. That said, many of them can slap a case on their phone, which negates a lot of what I said about multiple words.