Samsung Galaxy Round review, specs: The Samsung Galaxy Round is the world’s first smartphone with a curved screen. It boasts of a 5.7-inch Full HD Super Flexible AMOLED screen, Android 4.3 OS, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB internal memory (expandable up to 64 GB), and a 13-Megapixel camera, powered by a Snapdragon 800 processor.

Having almost the same features as the Galaxy Note 3 (but without the S Pen functionality), is the Galaxy Round innovative enough to start a trend in the market? Here is a quick review and bench test from sammobile.com to let you decide.

Let’s start with the body. The Galaxy Round has the same plastic cover as the Note 3, but with a leather pattern and faux stitching. This gives not only a better grip, but also a more expensive look as well. However, its biggest physical advantage over the other smartphones is its curved body, which gives a better grasp and feel in the hand.

Although most people think that having a curved screen doesn’t really make much of a difference, the Galaxy Round actually provides a better viewing experience compared to the flat smartphones. The Galaxy Round’s display can be easier to view in direct sunlight. And because the screen is slightly curved, watching videos and viewing photos has a sort of 3D effect. This is more effective when you view hi-res files.

With the same 9.6-MP rear camera and sensor as the Note 3’s, the Galaxy Round guarantees one of the best cameras in the market.

Its battery life, however, is a bit shorter compared to the Note 3’s. The Galaxy Round is 2,800mAh, weaker than the Note 3′s 3,200mAh. Still, sammobile.com says that the handset can still last for one day with normal usage. This is still impressive considering it has a large OLED screen.

With some of its advantages given, is the Galaxy Round the start of a new trend? Here’s DisplayMate’s take:

“It will take several years before flexible displays become incorporated into actual production Smartphones and then into entirely new products, uses, and applications. It’s clear that flexible displays will have a profound effect on the use of most display based products starting in the very near future. The display world isn’t flat anymore, and in a few years it won’t even have to be round…”