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MBX

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 14, 2006
2,030
817
Seeing many curved Android phones coming out these days. What's the point, except "we can do curvy phones"?
 

inselstudent

macrumors 6502a
Jul 27, 2012
617
4
Gimmicky as long as it's just a curved phone, but the technology required to build it is the beginning of bendable phones and imagine a phone that you could slap around your wrist and use as a watch, then remove it and use it as a fully functional phone. Dunno, but in my mind it seems like a pretty cool idea. Maybe I should patent it.
 

LIVEFRMNYC

macrumors G3
Oct 27, 2009
8,877
10,987
I've watched some video reviews on curves phones and most don't think it's a gimmick. One review claims typing feel more natural and effortless. Others say looking at the screen(like watching a video or gamming) you won't noticed it's curved. There was one review that mentioned a con about viewing from an angle, but that can just be that specific phone and not all curved phones. There was also another con about not being able to utilize the curved space, resulting in smaller battery.

I really have no opinon about curved phones until I see and hold one myself.
 

Lloydbm41

Suspended
Oct 17, 2013
4,019
1,456
Central California
Seeing many curved Android phones coming out these days. What's the point, except "we can do curvy phones"?

Seems as though the following items were construed the same way, when they came out:

Finger print scanner on a phone
NFC
capacitive, touch-screen keyboard
Mobile apps
digital wallet

Gotta start somewhere, right? Oh yeah, and all the rumors are pointing to Apple going after a bendable or wraparound larger display on the iPhone 6. So if the iPhone gets it, will you still consider it 'gimmicky'? Just curious.
 

lazard

macrumors 68000
Jul 23, 2012
1,608
818
Seeing many curved Android phones coming out these days. What's the point, except "we can do curvy phones"?

It's a gimmick...which is why Apple is looking to implement it in their next iPhone.
 

walie

macrumors 6502a
Nov 15, 2010
676
2
I think its awesome. A curved screen results in less reflections in the light and the way that LG phone can flex under pressure and go back to its original shape is pretty awesome.


Also, phones with huge screens were once considered (and still are in certain crowds) a gimmick. Which phone do you have again OP?
 

cube

Suspended
May 10, 2004
17,011
4,973
Even if not flexible, it is not a gimmick. It fits your body better.

Now, the LG I might agree, because even if flexible, the screen can break because it reaches the edge.
 

MBX

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 14, 2006
2,030
817
Hmm seems many here like it then.

I just don't see a point in curvy phones. Maybe I just like it to be straight to display the UI perfectly. But for mainstream regular consumers the little difference in the screen bending UI isn't an issue.

I agree though for a smart watch it's well applied and necessary.
 

benzslrpee

macrumors 6502
Jan 1, 2007
406
26
it's a gimmick because the current batch of phones are curved just to show they can do it like someone pointed out previously. i have only seen the example of using the curvature to skip song tracks by laying it flat on a table and tilting in various directions...

same with iOS 7's parallax effect. it was fun for the first couple of days and then i switched it off cause it was useless

fits better? less reflections? more natural to type? how bout quit making phones with super huge screens? i can palm a basketball but i can just about barely type on my Nexus 5 one handed without the phone feeling like its about to drop

It's a gimmick until Apple does it.

Like x86 cpus.
 

cube

Suspended
May 10, 2004
17,011
4,973
how bout quit making phones with super huge screens? i can palm a basketball but i can just about barely type on my Nexus 5 one handed without the phone feeling like its about to drop

That is designed for two-handed operation. If you want to use just one hand, buy a small phone.
 

thejadedmonkey

macrumors G3
May 28, 2005
9,240
3,499
Pennsylvania
I had a curved phone, then went to a flat screen, and the curved phone just felt a little bit better and a little but more natural. Not enough where I'd notice it on a daily basis, but enough where it I stop to think about it, I can tell you which I prefer.

It's not groundbreaking, for sure, but it's the little things all put together that make a phone a joy to use - a responsive UI, screens that can be used with gloves, wireless charging, NFC, and yes - curved screens.
 

b166er

macrumors 68020
Apr 17, 2010
2,062
18
Philly
I think it's more a proof of concept. Right now I'd call it useless. But the idea is going to lead to other advancements. The smart phone market is so plump right now we are at a point where the end user has become the R&D. It's cheaper for some companies to just rush out a device and see what sticks for next time.

Remember when 3D cameras were supposed to be a big thing for phones? Thank god that one didn't stick.
 

Technarchy

macrumors 604
May 21, 2012
6,753
4,927
My Nexus S 4G screen was curved.

It's a gimmick at worst, dubious at best based upon my experience.
 

cube

Suspended
May 10, 2004
17,011
4,973
Remember when 3D cameras were supposed to be a big thing for phones? Thank god that one didn't stick.

Thank nothing. I still want a 3D phone.

I bought a 3D camera with auto stereoscopic screen and it is really cool.
I also have a 3D monitor.

This kind of product is what is needed when you have weak sales because people start seeing no reason to get new gear. But it should be properly marketed.

Now there is a lot of people with 3DTVs.
 

charlesdayton

macrumors 6502a
Oct 24, 2011
783
381
Has anyone questioned why the LG Flex and Galaxy Round curve in different directions (horizontally and vertically). If it had any advantage all phones would curve in the same direction (ie. horizontally to better fit the pocket or improve grip, or whatever benefit curve had). I don't see any benefit to curved screens. Curved screens on CRT TVs and monitors where replaced long ago by Flat front CRT such as Trinitron, then then Plasma and LCD. Curved displays on old TVs distorted the images.
 

cube

Suspended
May 10, 2004
17,011
4,973
Has anyone questioned why the LG Flex and Galaxy Round curve in different directions (horizontally and vertically). If it had any advantage all phones would curve in the same direction (ie. horizontally to better fit the pocket or improve grip, or whatever benefit curve had). I don't see any benefit to curved screens. Curved screens on CRT TVs and monitors where replaced long ago by Flat front CRT such as Trinitron, then then Plasma and LCD. Curved displays on old TVs distorted the images.

No. It makes sense.

If you put the phone in your front pants pocket or inner jacket pocket, buy the Samsung.

If you put it in your outer coat pocket, buy the LG.

If you put it in your back pocket, buy either the LG or Samsung depending on the direction that you prefer, assuming it fits.

If you put it in your front shirt pocket, buy the Samsung.

Other pockets, check.

----------

I think the shops need some hard flat seats and some untethered dummies.
 
Last edited:

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
It's a gimmick, probably the most apparent one I've ever seen. If someone actually buys this phone specifically because it's curved they aren't the sharpest tool in the shed.

Now FOLDABLE screens, that's a different story. Foldable screens will truly change the smartphone/tablet environment IMO.
 

Jessica Lares

macrumors G3
Oct 31, 2009
9,612
1,057
Near Dallas, Texas, USA
Curved phones are gimmicky because they are only going to exist because the phones are getting bigger and harder to hold. And the only reason the phones are getting bigger, is so that they can stick a bigger battery in them because of 4G LTE.

3D phones? There was two of them already by HTC and LG.
 

Explicitic

macrumors 6502
Oct 26, 2012
455
11
Undecided
My Nexus S 4G screen was curved.

It's a gimmick at worst, dubious at best based upon my experience.

The curves of the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus were very slight and not the same as the G Flex or Galaxy Round. The Nexus devices had curved glass, the new LG and Samsung have curved displays.

Anyway, these phones are the stepping stones to bendable phones...which will hopefully be more useful.
 

b166er

macrumors 68020
Apr 17, 2010
2,062
18
Philly
No. It makes sense.

If you put the phone in your front pants pocket or inner jacket pocket, buy the Samsung.

If you put it in your outer coat pocket, buy the LG.

If you put it in your back pocket, buy either the LG or Samsung depending on the direction that you prefer, assuming it fits.

If you put it in your front shirt pocket, buy the Samsung.

Other pockets, check.

----------

I think the shops need some hard flat seats and some untethered dummies.

I get what you're saying... but what about people who don't necessarily always place their phone in the same exact pocket every time? Which is to say, everyone I know. Yes I'm a left pocket guy, but sometimes it's in my car dock, on my desk, or in my breast pocket. Oddly enough, the "slate" style that basically every phone uses is pretty versatile for all those situations.

I don't think anyone is trying to curve a screen thinking "wow, now it will conform to a certain pocket!"
 
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