Galaxy Round: What should we think of the curved smartphone ... - PC Inpact

Samsung recently formalized its first smartphone with flexible screen the Galaxy Round. A 5.7-inch model running Android, which shares some of its technical features with the Galaxy Note 3. However, he enjoys some new features induced by the design, but do not dream, you can not even roll before storing in your pocket. So what is the point?

Whereas

long, the Galaxy Round has been launched by Samsung. This smartphone is the first brand to use a flexible screen. But beware, here there is no question of a device that you can bend in all directions just as it has a curved shape on its vertical axis. The brand ahead of LG, who wanted to provide some presence in this field through listings on which we will return soon.

sort of Galaxy Note 3 molded with a rolling pin

Anyway, the Galaxy Round has a slab-type Super AMOLED including the definition of 1920 x 1080 pixels is the same as the Galaxy Note 3. But here, no stylus is expected. This is of course a high end device as features a Snapdragon SoC 800, 3GB of RAM and a modem LTE-Advanced, a network that is already deployed in Korea. Video of 13 megapixel sensor / takes the back of the handset and is supported by a flash. The battery is a 2800 mAh model, but the manufacturer does not refer to the precise moment of autonomy. The assembly weighs 154 g in a thickness of 7.9 mm. It is lighter and thinner than the Note 3.

Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) is installed by default and Samsung evokes some improvements in its TouchWiz interface to take advantage of this particular design. Indeed, it is question of “Roll Effect” which displays information such as missed calls, time, etc.. simply moving the camera when the screen is off and it is plated on a table for example.

Some effects

gadget but nothing more: in the end, what interest

?

It is also about the “Gravity Effect” which allows some interactions via the flick, but the brand does not say more. The integrated audio player also takes this concept since moving to the left or right enough to play the previous or next song.

But it still seems low enough to justify the value of such a product will mostly demonstrate mastery of a technology which is certainly expected more. Because one wonders what may be the final consumer interest to choose this product over another, its shape is probably not a great help in everyday life contrary to what one can do with the first OLED TV for example.

Especially that

Galaxy Round is announced yet in Korea, at a rate that would be close to € 1,000 (which remains to be confirmed). In short, if Samsung is interesting demonstration of a technological point of view, it remains to prove that the brand seem to find a meaning to such an innovation … which does not yet appear in the agenda.

Damien Labourot

Electronics Journalist orbiting mobility (smartphone, tablet, laptop) and always ready for new experiences.