26 April
Samsung could ape its Galaxy S7 Smartphone range with its next phablet. Recent reports suggest the company could introduce a Galaxy Note 6 "Edge" variant when the device eventually emerges.
A leak from Dutch technology website GSMHelpDesk, picked up by a number of publications, suggests the South Korean firm is testing two separate display setups for the phablet, making for different form factors – a flat-screen variant and a display curving into the chassis.
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Edge variants have become synonymous with the company's range of Galaxy S smartphones, but a Note Edge has been made before, alongside the Note 4 in 2014.
However, consumers may not be afforded the same level of choice this time round. It is implied that Samsung is testing the two devices with the intention of bringing only one to market.
According to Know Your Mobile, the curved Note 6 Edge variant would make the most sense, especially from a marketing point of view.
It argues that curved panels are now "Samsung's party piece" and would grant the Note the same design as the Galaxy S7 Edge, a useful selling point given that it is considered to be one of the best-looking smartphones on the market. Added to that, early reports indicate that Edge variants of the S7 are far more popular with consumers than the regular flat-face device.
Forbes is confident consumers will get the best of both worlds, however, noting Samsung's "habit of covering every option and price point". The regular Note 6 would come in at a lower price point compared to the curved Edge variant, which would be singled out as the flagship device for marketing purposes.
However, the site generally agrees that if two devices really are in testing but only one set will go into production, the Edge variant makes the most sense.
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