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"Smartphone technology arguably peaked in 2013, as different phones and operating systems became more alike than unlike, offering virtually interchangeable designs and feature sets. But just when you thought the mobile industry was becoming a single, oblong monolith made of glass and metal, something new emerged: the curved smartphone.\nThis fall both Samsung and LG unveiled smartphone designs with curved screens. The Samsung Galaxy Round has a display that curves horizontally so its 5.7-inch screen feels more comfortable when pressed against a leg in a pants pocket. The LG G Flex, on the other hand, has a 6-inch screen that curves vertically \u2014 all the better to match your face when using the device as an actual phone.\nSee also: 6 Creative Hacks for Your Smartphone\nIn either case, the curved screen reduces reflections, which has a real visual benefit, display experts say. Especially when watching video, the lack of glare is noticeable, and when you watch one of the curvy phones beside a regular one, you suddenly see all those room light reflections that were taking your flat-screen experience down a notch.\nWe got our hands on both phones recently (with a little help from our friends at TechSmartt). After using them for a while, I found I preferred the G Flex's more \"cinematic\" screen for watching video, although the Galaxy Round's display made the colors pop a little more than on the flat screen of the (same size) Galaxy Note 3. Ergonomically, the Samsung is the clear winner \u2014 it's much more pocketable than the larger, bulgier G Flex \u2014 although both are such big phones, their form factors are inherently off-putting.\nSeparate from its curved screen, the G Flex has a specially treated resin on the back of the phone that's said to be \"self-healing.\" It protects from small scratches, supposedly making them less noticeable after a few hours. However, a larger scratch (like the one we applied in the above video) takes longer and still leaves a permanent mark.\nThe emergence of curved screens on both cellphones and TVs is no coincidence: It represents a maturing of OLED technology, whose ultra-thin displays are naturally bendable. The logical next step from curved phones is fully bendable gadgets, although that would require more than just the screen to be flexible. Fortunately, that's in the works.\nBoth the Galaxy Round and G Flex are available only in parts of Asia for now, but LG has said its phone will be coming to the U.S. next year, and it's extremely likely Samsung will follow suit. Curved phones in smaller screen sizes will probably soon follow.\nWill curved smartphones be the next big thing in mobile or simply a niche product \u2014 a solution looking for a problem? Based on initial reports, interest is weak, but maybe the idea just needs to find its killer app. In any case, the arc for curved smartphones is just beginning.\n\n\nCurved Smartphone Shootout\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Smartphone Industry's Curveball\n\nThis fall saw the emergence of curved smartphones: the LG G Flex (left) and the Samsung Galaxy Round (right). The LG curves vertically while the Samsung curves horizontally, each with different advantages.\nImage: Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBack View\n\nThe LG's curve is more dramatic since it curves along its length.\nImage: Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNatural Speaker\n\nThe G Flex's curve better matches a face than a flat-screen phone, although it brings the phone's microphone only infinitesimally closer to the mouth. \nImage: Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlmost Bendable\n\nYou can press down on the back of the G Flex and won't break the phone.\nImage: Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n'Cinematic' Curve\n\nThe curved screen on the G Flex reduces room reflections, resulting in a better experience for watching video.\nImage: Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGalaxy Round\n\nThe Samsung Galaxy Round's screen also reduces reflections and makes colors appear a little more poppy.\nImage: Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReady for Pocket\n\nWhen in a pocket, the Galaxy Round's curve helps make it feel like you're not actually carrying around a giant smartphone.\nImage: Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLess Drama\n\nSince the Round's curve is horizontal, it's less noticeable than the G Flex's.\nImage: Mashable\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHave something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.\nImages: Mashable"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/12/27/curved-smartphones/>