Samsung Appears To Be Copying The Wrong Bits From Apple

We're slowly getting closer to the launch of Samsung's Galaxy S24 series, which is sure to set the bar for the best flagship smartphones in 2024, and not just in the Android space. This year's launch could be particularly interesting, as many rumors suggest big changes.

First, the January launch will include Exynos 2400 and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chips, reviving an old geographic rivalry. It will feature a move to powerful AI features, as well as an Instagram shortcut on the lock screen, which I'm sure no one asked for. There's already a lot to talk about and the phones are still months away.

But perhaps the biggest change is that Samsung ditched the long-standing curved screen with the Ultra in favor of a flat panel. The leaked renders certainly look more Apple-like than we've seen before, but I'm not sure Samsung should focus on such changes.

First I switched to curved panels for the larger phones. Yes, the classic Galaxy S24 can be used with a flat screen; It's still small enough to hold in one hand. But when you go over 6 inches, flat screens quickly become a hindrance, and slim curves allow you to use the phone with one hand. Ergonomics are key for a phone as large as the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and a flatter display will only help if the phone is thin enough, which it doesn't appear to be.

Samsung has insisted on ultra-flat edges for generations. As shown in the image below, the chassis of the S23 Ultra is slightly flatter than that of the S22 Ultra. The screen still has a curve, but overall the new model is boxier. After using both, I think the S23 Ultra feels bigger and heavier to hold than its predecessor.

One need only look at the near-universal disdain for Apple's flat-sided 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max and its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, for concern. Even the switch to a titanium chassis and reduced weight haven't made it any easier to interact with the bulky iPhone, another feature Samsung seems to be emulating.

Copying the ergonomics of the Pro Max isn't exactly what Samsung can do to win over iPhone customers. Fortunately, the exposed mirrors (which are pretty solid anyway) hint at a subtle curve in the frame that should make the phone more comfortable to hold than the Pro Max. However, pushing the frame up means less reflection where you want it.

US market share numbers are pretty weak for most manufacturers, but Apple is holding up better than most. It may have prompted some competitors to copy too much, but design is only a small aspect of a modern smartphone's identity. iMessage is perhaps most important to Apple's appeal in the West, as the recent RCS approval and other news have highlighted, and there's not much Samsung can do about it.

But it could redouble its efforts to catch Apple's edge in video. There's room for improvement in quality and functionality, from stabilization to near-lossless recording options. Apple is also getting more into gaming, and Samsung could be hinting at bringing bigger and better titles to its phones and its Android ecosystem. It looks like Samsung will rely more on AI in the next generation, which could help the brand stand out from Apple's many offerings in this space. After all, it's the unique, interesting, and genuinely useful features that interest potential customers more than the fact that it looks like a popular option. I will not fix what is not broken to continue this elusive dream.

Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself and the design of the Galaxy S24 Ultra will be perfect. Maybe somewhat better than before? I'm not sure yet, but I hope so.