Do curved displays make for a more pleasant experience?

Abstract

This study investigated the benefits of a curved display compared to a flat display and proposed the optimal radius of curvature for a monitor. The study was carried out in two steps. For identifying the optimal radius, a bendable monitor prototype was used to enable subjects to adjust the display radius manually. Each subject was instructed to search for an optimal radius according to individual preference and visual comfort. Six different themes were applied for the display content. The subjects also reported the radius in which a visual distortion occurred. As a result, it was found that curvature with a radius equal to 600 mm to 700 mm is optimal for a 23-inch diagonal display, while 700 mm to 800 mm is appropriate for a 27-inch diagonal display. Moreover, when the radius of curvature was smaller than 600 mm, a majority reported distortion regardless of the display size. Next, a validation test confirmed that the subjects read the texts faster on the curved display than on the flat display. Based on the empirical results of two experiments, the excellence of a curved monitor in terms of visual comfort, preference, and immersion was verified.