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Samsung is reportedly looking at continuing its line of curved screen smartphones with next year’s Galaxy S7 line. However, Samsung is rumored to release only a single variant of the Edge models, and not two like it did this year.
Vietnamese sources claim the Android vendor will unveil two models of next year’s Samsung Galaxy S7. If the source is accurately describing Samsung’s plans, it would be in line with what was done for this year’s Galaxy S6. Alongside the traditional, if more aesthetically pleasing than last year’s model, Galaxy S6, Samsung released the Galaxy S6 edge. Both handsets had 5.1-inch screens, with the Galaxy S6 edge stealing attention left and right for its interesting take on smartphone displays. However, the year before, Samsung updated its Galaxy Note line and unveiled the original Edge smartphone, named the Galaxy Note Edge. The original Edge device was a variant of the Galaxy Note 4 and, in a similar case to the Galaxy S6 edge, had a screen size similar to the flat-screened device. Most recently, Samsung refreshed the Galaxy Note Edge in the form of a third iteration of the Edge models. Although the new phone was released alongside the Galaxy Note 5 and featured the large screen of a Note model, Samsung added the handset to the Galaxy S6 line, naming it the Galaxy S6 edge+.
Now, Samsung seems to be rearranging its offerings once more. Like the company did this year, all the Galaxy Edge variants it releases are expected to be a part of the main Galaxy S7 line, meaning the Galaxy Note line will only have one device update, not two, regardless of when the new Edge is released. These rumors tie into previous reports that suggested Samsung would release two variants of the Galaxy S7. The first is pegged to have a 5.2-inch screen while the other is expected to feature a larger 5.8-inch screen. It is likely the bigger screen will be an Edge model. Since Samsung is not rumored to release more than a single Edge variant next year, a smaller model seems to not have a place in the lineup.
Samsung may be alienating a certain group of customers who prefer both a smaller handset and the Edge form factor, but focusing its efforts on fewer models may help the company boost its sales. Additionally, the smartphone giant may be looking to position the Edge variant as the complete superior to the traditional Galaxy S7, in that it has a curved and larger screen, rather than as simply another option.