Thats so stupid, why would you check the time and other notifications on the side when you can just turn the phone on and see it on the full screen?? And also, its called putting you phone face up! Samsung copies apple so much, samsung pay, now an all aluminum design which apple has been doing for 3 years now! Samsung is just desperate for customers!
I have the edge.. and the purpose is to get a quick glance at your notifications without disturbing others around you or looking to be into your phone too much. I don't use the edge stuff that much, but at least it's a little innovative unlike the iPhone, which besides being thinner and bigger is mostly the same as the 5 and 5S