Do you plan to switch from iPhone to Android? (2016)

[epicrayban]

The iPhone 8 will wear its display "cutout" loud and proud, new report suggests

This is based off a new report from Bloomberg that reads:

Apple has opted to not hide the notch area at the top of the screen, showing a definitive cutout at the top of apps with non-black backgrounds. The cutout is noticeable during app usage in the middle of the very top of the screen, where the status bar (the area that shows cellular reception, the time, and battery life) would normally be placed, according to the images. Instead, the status bar will be split into left and right sides, which some Apple employees call “ears” internally. In images of recent test devices, the left side shows the time while the area on the right side of the notch displays cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity and remaining battery life. Because of limited space, the status bar could change based on the task at hand, according to a person familiar with the testing.



I wonder why Apple isn't filling out the left/right "ears" with a black background to make the screen feel more symmetrical. Didn't Apple and its legions -- particularly Rene Ritchie -- argue that symmetry was absolutely necessary in good design? Interesting change. Another "unapologetically plastic" moment from Apple?

How do you guys feel about the notch being visible in some apps you use? It does bother me a bit. You'd think it's a no-brainer to just fill out the left/right background in black, similar to how the Essential phone tries to do it. And didn't people complain about the Essential's "eye" obstructing the screen? Apple's will be even bigger:

And doesn't this risk further fragmenting the software, because will iPhone 7S model software also have data pushed to the left/right ears (then what would be in the middle, nothing)?



And from the same Bloomberg report, this is more exciting:

iPhone 8 to feature iPad-like Dock, redesigned multitasking and new gestures to replace home button

Can't wait to see this in action. I've wanted Apple to do something like this for a long time.

 

[tbayrgs]

The iPhone 8 will wear its display "cutout" loud and proud, new report suggests

This is based off a new report from Bloomberg that reads:

Apple has opted to not hide the notch area at the top of the screen, showing a definitive cutout at the top of apps with non-black backgrounds. The cutout is noticeable during app usage in the middle of the very top of the screen, where the status bar (the area that shows cellular reception, the time, and battery life) would normally be placed, according to the images. Instead, the status bar will be split into left and right sides, which some Apple employees call “ears” internally. In images of recent test devices, the left side shows the time while the area on the right side of the notch displays cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity and remaining battery life. Because of limited space, the status bar could change based on the task at hand, according to a person familiar with the testing.



I wonder why Apple isn't filling out the left/right "ears" with a black background to make the screen feel more symmetrical. Didn't Apple and its legions -- particularly Rene Ritchie -- argue that symmetry was absolutely necessary in good design? Interesting change. Another "unapologetically plastic" moment from Apple?

How do you guys feel about the notch being visible in some apps you use? It does bother me a bit. You'd think it's a no-brainer to just fill out the left/right background in black, similar to how the Essential phone tries to do it. And didn't people complain about the Essential's "eye" obstructing the screen? Apple's will be even bigger:

And doesn't this risk further fragmenting the software, because will iPhone 7S model software also have data pushed to the left/right ears (then what would be in the middle, nothing)?



And from the same Bloomberg report, this is more exciting:

iPhone 8 to feature iPad-like Dock, redesigned multitasking and new gestures to replace home button

Can't wait to see this in action. I've wanted Apple to do something like this for a long time.

The feedback I’ve heard/read about the Essential phone is that the ‘eye’ on top, after at first being quite noticeable, just tends to blend into the background. And not all apps just simulate a black bar across the top on the Essential so the ‘eye’ in the middle is flanked by color/data in some apps.

I don’t see the implementation on the iPhone 8 causing fragmentation as if you look at the render, the only info in either side of the sensor area is systematic, not app specific. The top bar may look different on older phones but that’s easily coded for in iOS. I don’t think having the time and/or battery data in different locations will trouble people as they’ll just adjust to the new layout. App data will just likely begin just below that top area. If Apple were to just push the data displayed downward and creating a simulated black bezel, they’re reducing the usable display area.

 

[spinedoc77]

The iPhone 8 will wear its display "cutout" loud and proud, new report suggests

This is based off a new report from Bloomberg that reads:

Apple has opted to not hide the notch area at the top of the screen, showing a definitive cutout at the top of apps with non-black backgrounds. The cutout is noticeable during app usage in the middle of the very top of the screen, where the status bar (the area that shows cellular reception, the time, and battery life) would normally be placed, according to the images. Instead, the status bar will be split into left and right sides, which some Apple employees call “ears” internally. In images of recent test devices, the left side shows the time while the area on the right side of the notch displays cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity and remaining battery life. Because of limited space, the status bar could change based on the task at hand, according to a person familiar with the testing.



I wonder why Apple isn't filling out the left/right "ears" with a black background to make the screen feel more symmetrical. Didn't Apple and its legions -- particularly Rene Ritchie -- argue that symmetry was absolutely necessary in good design? Interesting change. Another "unapologetically plastic" moment from Apple?

How do you guys feel about the notch being visible in some apps you use? It does bother me a bit. You'd think it's a no-brainer to just fill out the left/right background in black, similar to how the Essential phone tries to do it. And didn't people complain about the Essential's "eye" obstructing the screen? Apple's will be even bigger:

And doesn't this risk further fragmenting the software, because will iPhone 7S model software also have data pushed to the left/right ears (then what would be in the middle, nothing)?



And from the same Bloomberg report, this is more exciting:

iPhone 8 to feature iPad-like Dock, redesigned multitasking and new gestures to replace home button

Can't wait to see this in action. I've wanted Apple to do something like this for a long time.

I love it, I feel like they are maximizing space. Everyone still has some top bezel due to the camera and other hardware, but they waste the space to the left and right of that hardware. Additionally, we have "wasted" space created by the status bar. Why not combine them into 1? I can honestly say I;m most impressed with Apple's design so far, they got rid of the bottom bezels and were able to get rid of most of the top bezels, and even create more room on screen by effectively getting rid of the status bar.

With that said, the only unknown at this point is the function bar. If it's permanent then all their efforts will wasted IMO if they are going to waste that much screen space. But I really doubt Apple is going to do that and I think the function bar will selectively disappear when it needs to.

 

[epicrayban]

The feedback I’ve heard/read about the Essential phone is that the ‘eye’ on top, after at first being quite noticeable, just tends to blend into the background. And not all apps just simulate a black bar across the top on the Essential so the ‘eye’ in the middle is flanked by color/data in some apps.

I don’t see the implementation on the iPhone 8 causing fragmentation as if you look at the render, the only info in either side of the sensor area is systematic, not app specific. The top bar may look different on older phones but that’s easily coded for in iOS. I don’t think having the time and/or battery data in different locations will trouble people as they’ll just adjust to the new layout. App data will just likely begin just below that top area. If Apple were to just push the data displayed downward and creating a simulated black bezel, they’re reducing the usable display area.

That's what I read about the Essential "eye" as well. I wonder if that'll be the same for the iPhone 8 since it's a considerably larger cutout/notch.

I don't think you'd have to push the display downward. You could simply fill the left/right ear background in black so it blends into the cutout portion, like in this third example:

I don't think that looks bad, and would have guessed Apple to go that way. I'm not particularly bothered by the second version if that's what Apple really goes with, but just figured it's a no-brainer move to keep the display looking symmetrical.

In any case, Apple is bucking some norms, and I do like that. It's just a little ironic that Samsung's flagships have a more symmetrical front design and screen than Apple's flagship this year. But like I said, bring it on. I'm still excited.
[doublepost=1504106625][/doublepost]

I love it, I feel like they are maximizing space. Everyone still has some top bezel due to the camera and other hardware, but they waste the space to the left and right of that hardware. Additionally, we have "wasted" space created by the status bar. Why not combine them into 1? I can honestly say I;m most impressed with Apple's design so far, they got rid of the bottom bezels and were able to get rid of most of the top bezels, and even create more room on screen by effectively getting rid of the status bar.

With that said, the only unknown at this point is the function bar. If it's permanent then all their efforts will wasted IMO if they are going to waste that much screen space. But I really doubt Apple is going to do that and I think the function bar will selectively disappear when it needs to.

You make a convincing case. I'm with you about the cutout. I was never that bothered by lack of symmetry really.

I just can't wait to hear the mental gymnastics nuts like Rene Ritchie will have to go through to now "accept" lack of symmetry in Apple hardware. You know, that sin that Rene tried so hard to convince us was a deal-breaker in design. I could see it now: "Unapologetically asymmetrical."


Another question: does that mean you can only pull down the notification shade left/right of the cutout?

 

[epicrayban]

Even more:

And here is the dock animated:

https://twitter.com/_inside/status/902907902784139265

 

[Radon87000]

Dammit, all this is so gorgeous and enticing, I know my wallet is going to have a gaping hole in it in a few weeks
[doublepost=1504112212][/doublepost]

The expandable store in the note 8 is irrelevant,the price is within spitting distance of the iPhone x edition. Since you don't know if the price is accurate, you don't know if it's inaccurate.

Its not irrelevant. Its a big deal. There is a reason why the 256GB iPhone costs $200 more than the 32 GB version. At $930 I cant store my entire music library and 4k movies in the S8 which would be impossible on the iPhone 8.

Even with a margin of error the price is still $1000 for 64GB.
[doublepost=1504112519][/doublepost]

That's a lie. Nobody needs to replace an iPhone every year, that is just selective preference. My iPhone 6S is as fast as the day it was released and pretty much matches the speed of an iPhone 7 in my personal experience. It's a nearly 2 year old design and in no way needs replacing. People who replace their devices annually do so because they like having the new phone and are happy to lose money in the pursuit of having that new phone.

It needs replacement if you want to enjoy the plethora of new features smartphones get every year. When it comes to computers and iPads, this happens every 3 years or so. iOS 11 has virtually no upgrades for the iPhone. There is nothing new. Everything has been reserved for the 8 right down from the gestures to that dock.

I get bored with my phones in a year so I upgrade yearly with the 6s being the exception.Apple has thrown a spanner into my plans. If I want to upgrade every year I will have to get the iPhone 6 design rehashed for the third time in a row and this product looks like a complete joke next to the iPhone 8 with its futuristic design and next generation OLED display. I am not wasting 900 on that which means I will have to spend $1300 minimum on the iPhone 8.

I usually never sell my iPhones but I may have to resort to selling my year old iPhone every year to pay $1300 every year.But this is the only way to get a ecosystem for my phone and iPad

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Just my opinion but I think the display cutout looks pretty gash. It might be a grower but right now it doesn't scream instant beauty IMO. I don't have to worry about it for a while though as it'll be at least a year before I own an iPhone with a screen like this, hopefully.

 

[The Game 161]

Even more:

And here is the dock animated:

https://twitter.com/_inside/status/902907902784139265

Looks great personally..

Going from the wasted space and bezel on my 7 plus to the new look iphone will be a joy.
[doublepost=1504115000][/doublepost]

Dammit, all this is so gorgeous and enticing, I know my wallet is going to have a gaping hole in it in a few weeks
[doublepost=1504112212][/doublepost]
Its not irrelevant. Its a big deal. There is a reason why the 256GB iPhone costs $200 more than the 32 GB version. At $930 I cant store my entire music library and 4k movies in the S8 which would be impossible on the iPhone 8.

Even with a margin of error the price is still $1000 for 64GB.
[doublepost=1504112519][/doublepost]
It needs replacement if you want to enjoy the plethora of new features smartphones get every year. When it comes to computers and iPads, this happens every 3 years or so. iOS 11 has virtually no upgrades for the iPhone. There is nothing new. Everything has been reserved for the 8 right down from the gestures to that dock.

I get bored with my phones in a year so I upgrade yearly with the 6s being the exception.Apple has thrown a spanner into my plans. If I want to upgrade every year I will have to get the iPhone 6 design rehashed for the third time in a row and this product looks like a complete joke next to the iPhone 8 with its futuristic design and next generation OLED display. I am not wasting 900 on that which means I will have to spend $1300 minimum on the iPhone 8.

I usually never sell my iPhones but I may have to resort to selling my year old iPhone every year to pay $1300 every year.But this is the only way to get a ecosystem for my phone and iPad

well i was going to buy the iphone sim free and keep my sim only plan but due to the price think will be going with EE on contract where i can upograde every 12 months.

Chances are I'm looking at over £70 a month but thats the price will have to pay for a new iphone each year.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

[QUOTE="Radon87000, post: 24947215, member:
It needs replacement if you want to enjoy the plethora of new features smartphones get every year. When it comes to computers and iPads, this happens every 3 years or so. iOS 11 has virtually no upgrades for the iPhone. There is nothing new. Everything has been reserved for the 8 right down from the gestures to that dock.

I get bored with my phones in a year so I upgrade yearly with the 6s being the exception.Apple has thrown a spanner into my plans. If I want to upgrade every year I will have to get the iPhone 6 design rehashed for the third time in a row and this product looks like a complete joke next to the iPhone 8 with its futuristic design and next generation OLED display. I am not wasting 900 on that which means I will have to spend $1300 minimum on the iPhone 8.

I usually never sell my iPhones but I may have to resort to selling my year old iPhone every year to pay $1300 every year.But this is the only way to get a ecosystem for my phone and iPad[/QUOTE]
As I said, it's your own choice to upgrade every year. The phone you own is perfectly capable of providing a top experience for at least the next 2 years.

If you get bored of your phones how on earth do you maintain an interest level when phones change very little year on year? I haven't seen any evidence to suggest the iPhone 8 is going to have a 'futuristic design'. All the leaks point towards what we are all used to but with an OLED screen with a panel cut out the top. I'm not bowled over with excitement to be honest. If people want to pay over a grand for that then more fool them.

Apple should have released a facelift device last year when it was due, not a year late and hype it up to charge more IMO. The days of people being impressed with what mobile you use have been over for some time now. The 7S will undoubtedly be a good phone and i'll let you into a secret. Nobody with any credibility is going to care whether you use a 7S or an iPhone 8. It's just a shame Apple aren't pushing more effort into the mainstream device.

 

[epicrayban]

Apple should have released a facelift device last year when it was due, not a year late and hype it up to charge more IMO.

Agree with this 100%. I've said a bunch of times, this isn't what I imagined Apple catching up would be like. When they "saved" everything for the big ten year anniversary, I was expecting it across their entire flagship lineup, not in an even higher tier one expensive and likely hard to get model.

It's just a shame Apple aren't pushing more effort into the mainstream device.

Also agree with this. No doubt the 7S models will be great phones, but they aren't the flagships they used to be, especially when they're basically based off a three year old design being asked to go into a fourth year. Thankfully it's getting wireless charging and will return to a glass-back. There were rumors early on that the 7S models might not get them at all. There might not have been any design changes.

What's even more a shame is the rumors that Apple will hamper wireless charging by not including fast charging and only being able work with their approved charging devices, even though they're expected to use the universal Qi standard. Heck, the feature might not even be ready come launch. Another rumor says it won't be "activated" until later via a software update.

Having said all that, I think the long game will prove these features, including a larger screen with less bezels, to be rewarding. We've been enjoying them on the Android side for years and can speak to the usefulness of these features. Apple seems to agree. And I think after the price comes down and OLED panels become more available for Apple, we'll see these features really take hold. Especially by the time the 8S (and maybe 8S Plus?) models come around.

 

[epicrayban]

Things with darker/black backgrounds definitely look better than with white ones:

We're looking at the possibility of no home button at all. Very interesting. I dig the move to gestures. I just hope it's all consistent.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Things with darker/black backgrounds definitely look better than with white ones:

We're looking at the possibility of no home button at all. Very interesting. I dig the move to gestures. I just hope it's all consistent.

The white looks horrible. I can't believe it. I love white phones normally. The back looks pretty nice.

 

[Radon87000]

New 6.4 inch iPhone using OLED display next year and 7S and 7S Plus replaced by 5.8 inch iphone and 6.4 iPhone plus. Oh man I can't imagine how much that's going to cost. Seems both Apple and Samsung are quite literally racing each other for the biggest phone in the industry.

Although I hate the cost the best part of it all is that we get to say sayonara to the LCD display next year.

 

[I7guy]

New 6.4 inch iPhone using OLED display next year and 7S and 7S Plus replaced by 5.8 inch iphone and 6.4 iPhone plus. Oh man I can't imagine how much that's going to cost. Seems both Apple and Samsung are quite literally racing each other for the biggest phone in the industry.

Although I hate the cost the best part of it all is that we get to say sayonara to the LCD display next year.

Nope. LCD will be here for a while until some alternative like micro-led will replace it.

 

[Radon87000]

Nope. LCD will be here for a while until some alternative like micro-led will replace it.

It's quite possible that Apple will retain the LCD iPhones as the budget lineup like how the iPad Is whilst the 5.8 inch and 6.4 inch OLED iPhones will be the iPhone Pro Editions just like the 10.5 and 12.9 iPads. All the innovation like TrueTone and ProMotion will be reserved for the Pro lineup with the budget lineup getting the usual spec bumps. Looks like not only has Apple increased my three yearly spending on iPads by 300 but also my iPhone spending.

 

[Radon87000]

By the time Apple uses MicroLES, Samsung will already be on some other superior technology while we wait for Apple to catch up considering how much Apple is ripping off the Samsung flagship range according to rumours and some established facts.

 

[epicrayban]

As suspected, Apple may introduce a "Plus" model of the iPhone 8 next year. We could see an 8S and 8S Plus with all the modern bells and whistles. Apple will probably save a few key features for the Plus model as they always do, but both should have dual-cameras on the back, I assume.

I imagine that's it for the 7S line -- they'll be relegated to the upper/mid-range category, where they belong.

Lastly, if this report is true, it further corroborates that Apple simply couldn't secure enough OLED panels for a Plus model this year.

Sketchy but plausible supply-chain report repeats rumors of larger 6.5-inch iPhone for next year

 

[widgeteer]

I like Apple products. Currently my daily driver is an iPhone 7 Plus. But the disparity in OS functionality between LG, Sammy and Android in general vs iOS is getting ridiculous. These phones still all basically do the same stuff but increasingly the stuff added by Android OEM's is increasingly less gimmicky and more functional. I wish Apple would up its software game.

 

[Radon87000]

As suspected, Apple may introduce a "Plus" model of the iPhone 8 next year. We could see an 8S and 8S Plus with all the modern bells and whistles. Apple will probably save a few key features for the Plus model as they always do, but both should have dual-cameras on the back, I assume.

I imagine that's it for the 7S line -- they'll be relegated to the upper/mid-range category, where they belong.

Lastly, if this report is true, it further corroborates that Apple simply couldn't secure enough OLED panels for a Plus model this year.

Sketchy but plausible supply-chain report repeats rumors of larger 6.5-inch iPhone for next year

Can you imagine the price though? The price would probably start at 1150 for the 64gb model.

 

[epicrayban]

I like Apple products. Currently my daily driver is an iPhone 7 Plus. But the disparity in OS functionality between LG, Sammy and Android in general vs iOS is getting ridiculous. These phones still all basically do the same stuff but increasingly the stuff added by Android OEM's is increasingly less gimmicky and more functional. I wish Apple would up its software game.

I would say this is true for both software and hardware, but you're right. The software over the past couple of years has vastly improved on the Android-side, both in stability and speed, and certainly in features.

I've argued that Android is easier and faster to use at doing most things, and offers a more consistent experience overall. While at the same time, being highly customizable. Android does its best to cater to you and all your unique preferences; whereas we must cater to iOS.
[doublepost=1504196902][/doublepost]

Can you imagine the price though? The price would probably start at 1150 for the 64gb model.

Maybe. I imagine by the time the 8S and 8S Plus models come around, OLED should be in better supply (aren't chains creating all new factories just to fulfill Apple orders?) which should help bring costs down. With the 7S models also going down toward upper/mid-range level, I imagine the 8S/Plus models will come down toward more manageable and accessible prices, too. The iPhone 8 from this year would be discounted, too.

BTW, Apple wants OLED. 'Nuff said.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Seems quite promising with the 7S. Mid range hopefully meaning lower pricing plus it'll have LCD for longer. My only worry going forward is the size of these phones. Any bigger than the current 4.7" and i'll call it a day.

 

[epicrayban]

Seems quite promising with the 7S. Mid range hopefully meaning lower pricing plus it'll have LCD for longer. My only worry going forward is the size of these phones. Any bigger than the current 4.7" and i'll call it a day.

Yes, indeed. More options at more price points will be helpful for customers.

You say you're worried about the size of the phone, but do you mean size of the screen? The 7S models aren't expected to change in screen sizes, are they? The 7S would still be the same 4.7" screen in 2018.

If you are referring to the physical size, then this is one of the advantages of a screen with less bezels. The iPhone 8 is supposed to sit in physical size right near the current iPhone 7.

 

[Radon87000]

Seems quite promising with the 7S. Mid range hopefully meaning lower pricing plus it'll have LCD for longer. My only worry going forward is the size of these phones. Any bigger than the current 4.7" and i'll call it a day.

The 5.8 inch iPhone 8 is the same size as the 4.7 iPhone.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yes, indeed. More options at more price points will be helpful for customers.

You say you're worried about the size of the phone, but do you mean size of the screen? The 7S models aren't expected to change in screen sizes, are they? The 7S would still be the same 4.7" screen in 2018.

If you are referring to the physical size, then this is one of the advantages of a screen with less bezels. The iPhone 8 is supposed to sit in physical size right near the current iPhone 7.

I mean footprint size yes. Anything bigger than the current 4.7" and I really won't buy it. If the screen increases within that then that's only positive. I was offered a 6S Plus last year as a work phone and declined it. I just hate large phones and won't even entertain buying them.

I'll see how much the iPhone 8 is next September but if the price is still high, I'd rather get a 7S with a screen I prefer anyway.

 

[epicrayban]

I mean footprint size yes. Anything bigger than the current 4.7" and I really won't buy it. If the screen increases within that then that's only positive. I was offered a 6S Plus last year as a work phone and declined it. I just hate large phones and won't even entertain buying them.

I'll see how much the iPhone 8 is next September but if the price is still high, I'd rather get a 7S with a screen I prefer anyway.

Choices, it's a beautiful thing.