The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge features a curved screen, which wraps around the right edge of the device. When placed flat, the "Edge screen" surface shows custom tools, and notifications, which the user may organize in seven customizable panels. According to Ian Fogg, senior director for mobile and telecoms at IHS Technology, “Samsung has consistently led the market using the large smartphone category, ever since Samsung launched the first Galaxy Note in 2011. Then, no one believed in this smartphone form factor, and yet Samsung created a successful market category.”
But, Fogg adds, over the last three years the smartphone market has changed; mainstream flagships have grown much larger, and as a result the Galaxy Note model is less differentiated than it used to be. The Galaxy Note Edge is a more striking device than the last Note iteration, the Note 4, because of its curved screen. Unlike previous curved screen smartphones, such as the LG Flex, the Galaxy Note Edge screen delivers practical benefits. But to maximize the differentiation, Samsung will need third party app developers to support the edge display, according to Fogg. And because Samsung offers this display on just one handset, few app developers will choose to support it unless Samsung pays app developers to tailor their apps.
Summary points:
- Samsung Galaxy Note Edge (SM-N915A)
- High end 5.6" QHD curved touch smartphone with stylus/digitizer
- Snapdragon 805 Quad Processor 32GB NAND 3GB LPDDR3
- Leverages Samsung IC as much as possible
Target market: Mass market
Pricing: Varies - U.S. 32GB version is $945.99 unsubsidized
Availability: Global
Total cost (direct materials and manufacturing): $300.03
Major Components:
- Display Module, 5.6" Diagonal, Flexible Display, 16.7M Colors, 2560 x 1440(+160) Pixels Pentile Matrix, w/ Digitizer PCB & Shielding Film, w / Integral Flex PCB - MFG: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD -
(Qty: 1)
- Apps Processor, Snapdragon 805, Quad-Core Krait 450 2.7GHz CPU, Adreno 420 GPU, 28nm, PoP - MFG: QUALCOMM - MPN: APQ8084 - (Qty: 1)
- MCP, 32GB eMMC NAND + 3GB Mobile DDR3 SDRAM, PoP - MFG: SAMSUNG SEMICONDUCTOR INC - MPN: KMR210008M-A805 - (Qty: 1)
- Display Window / Touchscreen Assembly, 5.6" Diagonal, 3D Curved Glass, GF2 Type, w/ Corning Gorilla 3 Cover Glass, w / Integral Flex PCB - MFG: ALPS ELECTRIC CO LTD - (Qty: 1)
- Primary Camera Module, 16MP, BSI CMOS, 1/2.6" Format, Auto Focus Lens, Optical Image Stabilization - (Qty: 1)
- Baseband Processor - MFG: QUALCOMM - MPN: MDM9225M - (Qty: 1)
- 10-Layer, FR4/RCF HDI, Any Layer Stacked Via, Lead-Free - MFG: DAP CORPORATION - (Qty: 1)
- Battery Pack, Li-Ion, 3.85V, 3000mAh, 11.55Wh, w/ Integrated NFC Antenna - MFG: SAMSUNG SDI - MPN: EB-BN915BBU - (Qty: 1)
- Bluetooth / WLAN Module, IEEE802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz / 5GHz, Bluetooth 4.1, Contains Broadcom BCM4358XKWBG - (Qty: 1))
- 8-Layer, Rigid/Flex Hybrid, FR4/Kapton, 1+6+1, Lead-Free, w/ Stiffener - (Qty: 1)
Device Overview. Source: IHS
Main PCB Top. Source: IHS
Main PCB Bottom. Source: IHS
Main Camera Module Top. Source: IHS
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