Report: Galaxy S9’s Screen-to-Body Ratio Could be as High as 89-90%

A consistent trend in smartphone design has been to increase the screen-to-body ratio of smartphones. As display sizes get larger, smartphone bezels have to be reduced in order to make sure that devices are still comfortable to use and hold. The screen-to-body ratio measures the amount of surface occupied by the screen in relation to the whole device.

Prior to 2017, the ratio hovered around 70-75%, but this year, multiple OEMs have broken the 80% screen-to-body ratio barrier. The Galaxy S8 and the S8+ had a screen-to-body ratio of around 84%, although the curved edge display makes it hard to determine a precise number.

Even though it’s only November, we’ve already seen the Galaxy S9 rumour saga begin. A few days ago, Evan Blass reported on VentureBeat that Samsung is preparing to show off a glimpse of the Galaxy S9 and the S9+ at CES 2018. Now, a report by SamMobile states that the successor of the Galaxy S8 could have an even higher screen-to-body ratio.

The SamMobile report claims to have received a tip to state that the Galaxy S9’s screen-to-body ratio may be as high as 90%, which would make it nearly 6% higher than that of the Galaxy S8+. According to the report, the bottom chin which exists on the Galaxy S8 will be “next to non-existent” on the Galaxy S9. The top bezel of the S9 is also said to be narrower than the S8.

The report added that it was unclear if the side bezels would be reduced or not. As Samsung employs a curved edge screen design, there may not be a lot of room to reduce the bezel size even more, it noted. The Galaxy Note 8 already has very small side bezels, as the phone has a less curvier design.

SamMobile noted that Samsung has made a point of not mentioning an exact number for the screen-to-body ratio on its flagships. However, the company is likely to market the fact that the Galaxy S9 will have even smaller bezels, as other competitors have matched Samsung’s efforts in the area. Devices like the Essential Phone and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 show that phones with smaller bezels are going to get more common as time goes on.

Therefore, it would make sense for Samsung to try to differentiate its “Infinity Display” with an even higher screen-to-body ratio. Although no phone on the market has had a bezel-less display up till now, the screen-to-body ratio has rapidly increased – which is good news for consumers as a higher ratio means a bigger display in the same device size or a display of equivalent diagonal in a smaller device. As long as the phone can handle palm detection and accidental touches well, there remains little incentive for competitive OEMs to stay with larger bezels.

In the case of the Galaxy S9, we don’t know if this rumour turns out to be true, but it looks possible. There is still quite a while to wait for before the unveiling of the Galaxy S9, so we anticipate a lot more information to leak through before the device is officially unveiled.

Source: SamMobile

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