Smartphone manufacturers often use thick bezels on budget models to offset high component costs. While flagship devices utilize expensive flexible OLED panels, more affordable options like the Samsung Galaxy A26 rely on rigid technology that requires larger borders.
The 100% premium on flexible OLED panels
The struggle for aesthetic parity in the mid-range market is driven by a fundamental hardware divide. According to the report , the primary culprit behind the "ugly notch" or thick display chin is the manufacturing cost of display technology. While flagship devices use flexible OLED panels that can bend to connect directly to the motherboard, budget devices often rely on rigid OLED or LCD panels .
Flexible OLED technology remains significantly more expensive than its rigid counterparts. The source notes that these flexible displays can cost up to 100% more to manufacture. Because rigid panels require large, bulky connectors that cannot be easily hidden, manufacturers must use thicker bezels to house the hardware, effectively trading a premium look for a lower retail price .
Why Samsung and Google maintain larger display borders
Major players like Samsung and Google continue to utilize these larger bezels in their mid-tier lineups. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy A26 features an oversized display chin that distinguishes it from the more expensive flagship Galaxy line. Similarly, Google’s Pixel A-series continues to feature larger borders, a design choice that separates the budget experience from the premium tier.
This design gap affects more than just the hardware; it impacts the perceived social status of the device. As the report suggests, smartphones are often viewed as personal accessories and extensions of the user. When a device features a thick, unsightly bezel, it instantly signals to observers that the phone belongs to a lower price bracket, regardless of how well the software performs.
Xiaomi and Motorola’s push for flagship aesthetics
Some manufacturers are successfully bypassing these costs to offer premium looks at lower price points. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro, priced at approximately $359, offers a flagship-grade, super-thin bezel, though it faces challenges with U.S. carrier compatibility. This device proves that high-end aesthetics do not always require flagship-level pricing.
Motorola has also entered the fray with the Moto G, which retails for under $300 and offers a sleek, expensive appearance. However, these aesthetic wins often come with functional compromises. As the report highlights, the Moto G features only 4 GB of RAM and a camera described as having the "underwhelming character of a wet rag," suggesting that thin bezels may sometimes be a mask for weaker internal specifications.
Will Samsung and Google bridge the bezel gap?
The future of mid-range design remains uncertain as consumer expectations for thin bezels continue to rise.. While companies like Xiaomi and Motorola are proving that slim borders are possible on a budget, it is currently unknown if industry giants like Samsung or Google will follow suit. The report leaves open the question of whether these major manufacturers will eventually adopt more cost-effective ways to implement flexible-style displays in their A-series and Pixel A-series models.
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