Core Viewpoint - The trend of curved screen smartphones is declining, with a significant shift back to flat screen designs in the mid to high-end market, particularly among brands like OPPO, iQOO, and Xiaomi [1][2][26]. Group 1: Historical Context of Curved Screens - The first curved screen smartphones were Samsung's Galaxy Round and LG's G Flex, which were more conceptual than commercially successful [3][7]. - Samsung's Note Edge in 2014 marked a significant moment for curved screens, leading to the popularization of the dual-curved design with the S6 Edge [11][12]. - The success of the S6 and S7 Edge established curved screens as a high-end feature, influencing other manufacturers to adopt similar designs [13][19]. Group 2: Issues with Curved Screens - Curved screens have inherent issues such as accidental touches, display edge problems, and increased fragility, which have led to customer complaints [20][28]. - Despite their aesthetic appeal, the practical drawbacks have made flat screens more favorable among consumers [26][30]. Group 3: Economic Considerations - The cost of manufacturing curved screens remains higher than flat screens, impacting repair costs; for example, the repair cost for OPPO Find X7 Ultra's curved screen is ¥1690, while the flat screen of X8 Ultra is ¥1490 [30][32]. - Advances in screen packaging technology allow flat screens to achieve narrow bezels, making them visually appealing without the need for curves [32]. Group 4: Design Trends and Market Shifts - The shift back to flat screens is partly driven by a design language that mimics Apple's aesthetic, emphasizing flat screens and right-angled frames [34]. - The cyclical nature of design trends in the smartphone industry suggests that both flat and curved screens will continue to have their advocates, but the current market favors flat screens for commercial reasons [35].