Why curved screen phones failed to catch up, and no one makes it now?

A few years ago, curved screen phones were the poster children of futuristic design. Samsung led the charge with its Galaxy Edge series, and others followed, trying to blend innovation with luxury. The sleek curves felt like holding a piece of science fiction. But the shine wore off — and today, more and more flagship and mid-range phones are going back to flat screens.

Here’s why.

1. Durability Meets Reality

Let’s face it — we drop our phones. And when you have a screen that curves around the edges, those edges become the weakest link. A flat phone might survive a drop with a simple case or screen protector. A curved one? Not so lucky. Users found out the hard (and expensive) way that fixing a cracked curved screen could cost almost as much as the phone itself. Insurance claims and repair bills became common complaints.

2. The Accidental Touch Problem

One of the biggest frustrations users faced was unintended touches. You’re just trying to scroll Instagram or read a message, and the side of your hand triggers something on the edge. It’s like using a touchscreen that doesn’t know what you didn’t mean to press. Sure, software tried to fix this, but it never completely went away.

3. Looks Cool, But Then What?

There was a time when curved edges made you feel like you had something truly premium. They looked gorgeous in ads — all light gliding off the curves. But when it came to everyday use, the benefits were… underwhelming. The edge panels or side widgets added by manufacturers weren’t game changers. Once the wow factor wore off, people realized they weren’t using those features much at all.

4. Costs That Didn’t Make Sense Anymore

For manufacturers, producing curved screens was (and still is) more expensive. As smartphone prices ballooned and consumers became more value-conscious, curved displays became harder to justify — especially when they didn’t improve performance, battery life, or camera quality.

5. Design Trends Are Evolving

Designers and engineers have gotten really good at making flat displays look just as stunning, with ultra-thin bezels, precise symmetry, and higher screen-to-body ratios. Plus, the industry is now investing in foldables, rollable displays, and other truly flexible innovations — areas where curves do make a functional difference.