Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra display design just got tipped – this is weird

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review apps
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

The rumored Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra could drop the curved display of its predecessors and opt for flat edges that may see the return of screen bezels. 

This surprising tidbit of information comes from reliable tipster Ice Universe who claimed that the Galaxy S24 Ultra looks set to have a flat display with bezels measuring 3.42mm on the left and right, and 3mm on the top and bottom. 

This, according to the tipster, would give the Galaxy S24 Ultra a screen ratio of 88%, which would be "the lowest screen-to-body ratio of a Samsung flagship since the Galaxy S10." 

Ice Universe compared these bezels measurements to those of the Galaxy A54, which our Samsung Galaxy A54 review notes are fairly chunky bezels.

See more

Samsung largest flagship phones have featured curved displays since the Galaxy S6 Edge, with all Galaxy phones bearing the 'Ultra' suffix featuring curved glass on the left- and right-hand-side edges. But according to Ice Universe, the Galaxy S23 Ultra could be the last curved-screen Samsung phone.

It's early in the rumor cycle for chatter around Samsung's next line of flagship phones, and displays can be put to the test in early prototypes that may never see the light of day. So do take this information with a dose of skepticism. 

See more

Added to which, Samsung Display, the South Korean tech giant's screen making arm, has a roadmap that appears to prioritize bezel-less screens in smartphones

So it would be odd for the company to switch track from the design established with its Ultra phones, especially as the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the top pick for our best phones list, in no small part due to its great display.  

Analysis: Could Samsung really trade curves for bigger bezels?  

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra hands on listing

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Curved displays were once seen as an innovation on smartphones that allowed users to get more screen real estate on a phone with a relatively smaller footprint. 

But for some they have been more than a little annoying, with curved edges either interfering with regular usage of the phone or making things like screen protectors much harder than they need to be.

Dropping curved displays would make smartphones with large screens less likely to feel slippery in one's grip, but the trade off would likely mean more visible bezels. 

Over the years we've seen phone makers tend to split their flagship ranges into models with curved displays and those with flat edges. For example, the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Plus have flat sides to their screen, unlike their Ultra sibling. And the same is true for the Google Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro; the former has flat edges, while the latter opts for a curved display. 

However, over the past year or so we've seen the steepness of curved display edges flatten out, arguably threading the line between the clean, futuristic aesthetic of curved glass and the practicality of a flat screen. And we've praised this move. 

We gave the Galaxy S23 Ultra props for flattening its curved display so that it's easier to grip. Conversely, in our Motorola Edge 40 review we noted the curved display detracted from the overall experience. 

Time will tell if the Galaxy S24 Ultra does indeed see Samsung change tact and drop the curved display altogether. Expect the rumors around the next Galaxy flagship phone lineup to gather momentum as 2023 moves closer to 2024. 

You might also like

Michael Allison
Staff Writer, Phones

A UK-based tech journalist for TechRadar, helping keep track and make sense of the fast-paced world of tech with a primary focus on mobile phones, tablets, and wearables.

When not writing on TechRadar, I can often be found reading fiction, writing for fun, or working out.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could have even smaller bezels - and that could mean an even bigger display
The back of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
New Samsung Galaxy S25 render leak shows the changes from the S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
New Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leak shows off the phone's super-thin bezels
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
New Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leaks hint at key upgrades for the display and storage
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra hands on handheld front angled lock screen
New Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and Plus renders give us a clear look at their screens
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display at Galaxy Unpacked
Exclusive: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will have durability to match its ‘sexy’ design
Latest in Samsung Galaxy Phones
Samsung Galaxy S24 hands on handheld back straight white
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is getting one of the S25’s biggest video upgrades with One UI 7 – here’s why Log Video matters
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
Samsung's latest software upgrade could mean Galaxy phones beat iPhones for gaming – but you can't get it yet
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could resurrect an intriguing camera feature
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 could be in line for a Galaxy S25 Ultra-level camera upgrade
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, close up on the dual camera system, against a marbled background
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is being tipped to come with a sweet Google Gemini deal
Samsung Galaxy A56 display
Samsung’s new budget handsets are getting One UI 7 before the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I’m as confused as you are
Latest in News
Metroid Prime 4
I reckon the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch with Metroid Prime 4 – here’s why
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
New rumors predict a foldable iPhone will launch next year – and cost almost twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Logo of YouTube Shorts
Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 expected to have AI upscaling and I can't wait to finally play Tears of the Kingdom with upgraded graphics