A Samsung Galaxy Note Edge Smartphone
A visitor holds a new Samsung Galaxy Note Edge smartphone after its presentation at the Unpacked 2014 Episode 2 event ahead of the IFA Electronics show in Berlin, September 3, 2014. Reuters/Hannibal Hanschke

The Galaxy Note Edge is officially the only one of its kind in the world today. This is the second smartphone to sport a shaped display following the path of the Galaxy Round and apparently the giant tech company is merely getting started.

The company uses the same technology with its other products like its curved-screen TV and wearables like the Gear Fit and Gear S. But Samsung is not the only one that delivers this kind of innovation. Korean powerhouse LG has also developed the Flex smartphone but the device fell short on some aspects.

With CNET's interview with Samsung's designers, it will be interesting to know the inspiration behind the unique curvature of the Note Edge. The company's creative pool got to explain how they balanced the beautiful yet bold design with the functionality and power most Samsung devices are known for.

Samsung concept designer Sunghoo Lee shared that the sport of fencing gave the designers the curve idea. According to Lee, their concept was ignited by Spanish Architect Antoni Gaudi who once quoted that "there are no straight lines in nature", thus, the team's search for the right curve started.

The creative team started with the idea of having the display underneath the glass screen to follow a sensual arc. They first considered the ocean waves and air currents as potential inspiration for the design. When they came across the churn of a fencing sword as it bends when it hits its target, the sport became its main inspiration. They also admitted that all three mentioned were represented in the device.

Building the concept was just the start of more extensive work for the company. Creating the imagery and injecting all the technicalities needed the collaboration of Samsung's designers and engineers. The design, the geometry and how the two would affect people's experience using the phone are the biggest factors that the team had to wisely consider.

The new shape of the Note Edge will definitely give a different feel and grip to users. The curved display meets the back plate in a straight edge on the right side which will give a peculiar feel especially to those who are used to the usual symmetrical rectangular devices. The question for the left-handed users was also acknowledged by the team. The phone is equipped with a mode that flips the icons when used upside-down. It doesn't sound like a very good solution for the lefties but it's a workaround.

Inspired by a notebook or diary with numbered or lettered index pages found at the right side, the user can navigate the vertical strip of the Edge with the thumb. The thumbing on the other hand was inspired by the revolving doors which are all over Korea. Based on the motion of the Revolving UI, the company wanted the thumb's swiping motion to do most of the job in cycling through the various menus on the phone's display.

Reuters on the other hand notes that the Galaxy Note Edge would definitely entice Android fans who love customizing their phones. In addition, the side screen has 160 new rows of pixels to add a launchpad for apps. Some users may find creative uses for the space and some will find the unusual curve design as a sure head turner.