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Did you know that the Note Edge isn't Samsung's first smartphone with an auxiliary screen?

posted by Chris P. / Sep 08, 2014, 9:32 AM

Did you know that the Note Edge isn't Samsung's first smartphone with an auxiliary screen?

To the surprise of many, when Samsung excs took up to the stage at IFA 2014 and finished their presentation on the Note 4, they then proceeded to whip out the Note Edge. A novel gadget by all means, the Note Edge is a near identical twin to the Note 4 with one major exception: its 5.6-inch Super AMOLED screen slopes to the sides, beyond the right bezel. The extra screen real estate can be used to hold your favorite apps, show stocks and news updates, and even doubles-up as a ruler.

Of course, we've known that Samsung is working on advanced display solution such as this one for a while now, but it still is impressive to see such an advance made commercially-available -- the big four carriers in the US, for example, will carry the Note Edge alongside the Note 4. But did you know that the Note Edge isn't Samsung's first stab at the idea of having more than a standard, main touchscreen? That's right, back in November 2010, the company announced the Samsung Continuum -- a phone that didn't have a sloping-to-the-sides screen, but nevertheless sported a separate, auxiliary screen right underneath the navigation keys on the bottom. Verizon even carried the Continuum!

The extra, 1.8-inch WVGA screen with 480x96 pixel resolution (called the "ticker") was mainly used by the TouchWiz software on board the Continuum to display incoming e-mails and text, show social updates from Facebook and Twitter, and even stream updates from your RSS feed. The screen could also show you music player controls, and also display the next turn you need to make when being navigated through Verizon's VZ Navigator. Interestingly enough, back then we had difficulties operating the main screen without accidentally clicking on the ticker every now and then -- kind of alike to the situation with the Note Edge.

It's probably obvious, but the Continuum wasn't a hit, even though its specs sheet was nothing to sneeze at for its time. Whether a similar fate is to befall the Note Edge, however, remains to be seen.

Samsung Continuum

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Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

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PhoneArena Rating:

9.0

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User Rating:

9.3

Based on 13 Reviews

Display 5.6" 1440 x 2560 pixels

Camera 16 MP / 3.7 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 805, Quad-core, 2700 MHz

Storage 32 GB + microSDXC

Battery 3000 mAh(18h 3G talk time)

View Full specs

PhoneArena Rating:

9.0

Read Full Review

User Rating:

9.0

Based on 2 Reviews

Display 3.4" 480 x 800 pixels

Camera 5 MP

Processor Samsung Exynos 3, Single core, 1000 MHz

Storage 2 GB + microSDHC

Battery 1500 mAh(7.00h talk time)

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22 Comments

1. ArtSim98

Posts: 3535; Member since: Dec 21, 2012

So there goes the innovation. Ok not really though I guess it's different?

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 9:34 AM 1

18. steedsofwar unregistered

The edge is just a "I did it first" device. I love android but the edge is a joke.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 6:47 PM 1

19. heyhi

Posts: 137; Member since: Feb 19, 2013

i think its cool and kind of futuristic...i guess its not easy to bend a display like that and the best part, make it functional...those who complain about the "one side only", forget that the note series are big and kind of heavy, not everyone uses one hand only. Most of the times I use both hands when Im using my note 3, just when im gonna call somebody i use one. yes, they did it first, someone someday had to, dont you think so? and soon they're gonna make it better or someone else will. now we have more choices, thats beautiful for consumers and for them.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 11:36 PM 0

2. matrix_neo

Posts: 334; Member since: Nov 03, 2011

It looks better in Note Edge. It has a larger space and easy to use. Some says it's a gimmick but to some it's not. Like this feature hass a purpose, some people might not be able to understand it. Only Samsung has done this 1st, if successful, like in note lines, others will follow. I think Samsung is experimenting again, even it failed, just to prove innovation and perfection never ends.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 9:55 AM 3

3. Saioofi

Posts: 344; Member since: May 23, 2014

I'm left handed so to me the edge is just a gimmick

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 10:00 AM 10

4. Jeradiah3

Posts: 1149; Member since: Feb 11, 2010

I am too and I'm not totally sold on the Note Edge either. Is it just me, or is the Note 4 slimmer than he Note 3??

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 10:07 AM 1

6. spin9

Posts: 310; Member since: May 31, 2014

It's even slimer than note 4

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 10:38 AM 0

15. Jeradiah3

Posts: 1149; Member since: Feb 11, 2010

ok. im not sure. the Note 4 looks like the S5 and that seems to be a common trend..... Note -> S2 Note 2 -> S3 Note 3 -> S4 Note 4 -> S5

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 5:13 PM 0

5. Onlinector720

Posts: 25; Member since: Sep 03, 2014

I had the same feeling but this problem is not just in tech world,And i've got used to it..

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 10:18 AM 0

8. Anonn

Posts: 230; Member since: Jun 04, 2014

Do you shake hands with your left hand? Do you shift your car and operate the radio, ignition, etc.. with your left hand?. Its very simply, you will just get used to it in no time

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 11:48 AM 2

11. Carlitos

Posts: 673; Member since: Oct 23, 2011

The phone is so big hat your gonna need both hands.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 11:59 AM 1

13. chengsae

Posts: 64; Member since: Dec 10, 2013

Just hold it upside down and you will be fine.....ha

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 12:15 PM 1

7. elitewolverine

Posts: 5192; Member since: Oct 28, 2013

Wait so it is an aux screen now? Freaking come on PA, it is the same screen, there is no dual screen input to make the 'edge' it is a folded part of the screen screen. That is like calling the taskbar an Aux Screen. An Aux screen would be like the NDS, or that other phone that slid out and literally had a SECOND SCREEN. COME ON. end rant

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 11:23 AM 0

9. Chris.P

Posts: 567; Member since: Jun 27, 2013

I agree completely that we're on shaky ground calling it auxiliary, secondary, or anything in that general venue. We often make sure to point out that it is actually part of a whole, monolithic screen, and we'll have to do an even better job in that regard in the future. That said, we occasionally have to introduce these technically-incorrect references to make it clear for people that are not as tech-savvy and not necessarily aware of the Note Edge, nor can really form an image of what exactly is meant by a screen that is "sloping to the side". Especially when you're talking about as novel a concept as this one. Which, by the way, not at all coincidentally, is why we continue to include images or reference links of the Note Edge in related posts, and will likely continue to until we feel a sufficient number of people are well-aware of what exactly is being referred to when talking Note Edge.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 11:53 AM 2

10. vuyonc

Posts: 1091; Member since: Feb 24, 2014

The curved section should have been on the top. Not sure how they'd make it work but I'd appreciate the symmetry.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 11:58 AM 0

12. chengsae

Posts: 64; Member since: Dec 10, 2013

TOTALLY A GIMMICK Device. Developers can just make the Original Notification bars just the same by adding soft buttons or on the sides. Edge-less phones in my opinion is dumb because you cannot hold it. A good try to make someone happy about this kind of fad.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 12:15 PM 0

14. bugsbunny00

Posts: 2266; Member since: Jun 07, 2013

where is the second screen

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 1:30 PM 0

16. ProblemSolver15

Posts: 372; Member since: Jun 14, 2010

I like how PA put the little "HOT" tab on the article thumbnail when the thing only has 15 comments (at the time of this comment). It's not a hot story, just a click generator.

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 5:29 PM 0

21. Chris.P

Posts: 567; Member since: Jun 27, 2013

It's automated and depends on y hits over x minutes.

posted on Sep 09, 2014, 1:38 AM 1

17. tacarat

Posts: 854; Member since: Apr 22, 2013

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Samsung-DoubleTime_id6494

posted on Sep 08, 2014, 5:49 PM 0

20. derivativex

Posts: 176; Member since: Jul 15, 2014

Sorry note 4 but this is the note for me this year

posted on Sep 09, 2014, 12:47 AM 0

22. tokuzumi

Posts: 1930; Member since: Aug 27, 2009

I remember the device having a wow factor. The only problem was it was never updated. Samsung released it, and promptly forgot about it. This was unfortunate, as Sammy could have used that aux screen for some cool stuff.