Samsung unveils world’s first curved screen phone

The Galaxy Round, which Samsung says is the world's first curved screen smartphone. Picture: AP

The Galaxy Round has a curved 5.7in (14.5cm) screen using advanced display technology called organic light-emitting diode, or OLED, technology.

The Korean firm said the curve will make it easier to grip. The handset has features that make use of the display’s curve, such as playing the next song in a music playlist by tilting the phone to the left or to the right.

South Korea is the leader in developing curved digital display technology. Samsung and rival LG, the world’s two-largest makers of display screens, have both produced curved TVs using OLED displays.

The Galaxy Round, the world's first curved screen smartphone. Picture: Comp

The curved display is an initial step before handset makers develop smartphones with a flexible display that one day might be folded like a map, experts say.

Samsung offered the public a peak at mobile devices with flexible displays during a January gadget show in Las Vegas.

The Galaxy Round will be released in South Korea, with no plans announced for a global rollout. SK Telecom, the country’s largest mobile operator, will start selling the handset Thursday for 1.1 million won (£625) without a contract, making it one of the most expensive smartphones on the market.