Full Screen/No Bezels

[mjschabow]

I had a thought the other day while briefly using the Pixel 3a for a day as well as yesterday when I was joking my girlfriend's iPhone 7 Plus. Both had bezels and actually were a breath of fresh air because of the bezels. It was a sense of security that I wasn't going to to accidently bump something. I'm currently using the S10+, so accidental touches are just a part of life with the curved screen.

So my question is, and maybe this will lead to a good discussion. How do you feel about the trend over the last 3 years with the ever shrinking bezels? And what would your sweet spot be?

I think my sweet spot is what the current gen Pixels are doing. And aside from the edge screens, the Galaxy S9/Note 9 series.

 

[Aneres11]

I had a thought the other day while briefly using the Pixel 3a for a day as well as yesterday when I was joking my girlfriend's iPhone 7 Plus. Both had bezels and actually were a breath of fresh air because of the bezels. It was a sense of security that I wasn't going to to accidently bump something. I'm currently using the S10+, so accidental touches are just a part of life with the curved screen.

So my question is, and maybe this will lead to a good discussion. How do you feel about the trend over the last 3 years with the ever shrinking bezels? And what would your sweet spot be?

I think my sweet spot is what the current gen Pixels are doing. And aside from the edge screens, the Galaxy S9/Note 9 series.

Great topic.

When I actually think about some of my favourite phones, they've all had bezels. Xperia XZ Premium, Pixel 3, Pixel 1 (OG), all of them have had bezels.

When I think to phones that have had little to no bezel, I haven't kept them too long. P30 pro, S10 etc. I think these bezel-less phones often couple on a curved display, and I've made no secret of the fact that it isn't my preference at all.

For me, the iPhone X series has the best full screen experience you can find. The flat display means no false touches, which is a huge issue on a lot of these curved displays. Yes, there's a notch there, but it doesn't bother me on that phone as Face ID is so good.

I think One Plus have been a good example with their latest device - although it is curved and bezel-less - the refresh rate has been a big talking point because of how much of a better user experience it brings.
I personally, would rather keep some bezel and have some tech like that focussed on rather than try to make just a screen in your hands. Whilst that's great to look at, to use it's a different story (for me).

 

[mjschabow]

Great topic.

When I actually think about some of my favourite phones, they've all had bezels. Xperia XZ Premium, Pixel 3, Pixel 1 (OG), all of them have had bezels.

When I think to phones that have had little to no bezel, I haven't kept them too long. P30 pro, S10 etc. I think these bezel-less phones often couple on a curved display, and I've made no secret of the fact that it isn't my preference at all.

For me, the iPhone X series has the best full screen experience you can find. The flat display means no false touches, which is a huge issue on a lot of these curved displays. Yes, there's a notch there, but it doesn't bother me on that phone as Face ID is so good.

I think One Plus have been a good example with their latest device - although it is curved and bezel-less - the refresh rate has been a big talking point because of how much of a better user experience it brings.
I personally, would rather keep some bezel and have some tech like that focussed on rather than try to make just a screen in your hands. Whilst that's great to look at, to use it's a different story (for me).

You nailed it on the head. The S10+ is probably the most amazing phone I've ever used but at the same time, it's an absolute chore to use because I'm always afraid I'm going to bump something. That OG Pixel, awesome bezels actually. It was my resting spot for my thumb lol.

 

[Cnasty]

I love the lack of bezels trend and the OP7 does this better then any other phone I have seen lately. No notch, miniscule bezels and that true, entire screen real estate is a sight to behold in day to day use combined with the 90hz.

I love the progress made and hope others get creative with the notch removals in the future. Not a fan of the hole punch design at all.

 

[tbayrgs]

I’m fine with lack of bezels as long as two conditions are met:

1) Good software recognition that can discriminate accidental touches

2) No curved edge displays.

I understand many love the latest devices from Samsung and One Plus but I can’t stand the curved edge displays. I dislike the feel in hand and display distortion. The only way I’ll ever purchase one is if every manufacturer adopts them and I simply have no choice.

I surprisingly have inadvertent touches on the sides of my Pixel 3 XL fairly often and it’s pretty annoying. Conversely, I never have them on my iPhone Xr and it’s likely attributed to a decent bezel (compared to most new devices) and good reachability features. I’d be perfectly happy with the Xr bezel all the way around and no notch. An even tighter bezel would be fine if it isn’t prone to accidents false touches...and the display is flat.

 

[pika2000]

Imo the issue is those curved touch screens, like the recent Galaxy S phones. Like posts above, the curve screen is causing accidental touches simply due to how our hands are holding the phone. It’s worse for those with chubbier hands like me.

Bezelless edge to edge itself imo is fine without these curved touch screens imo. Example, the iPhone X series, the regular Huawei P30 non-pro (which I have), the Galaxy S10e, etc. I don’t experience any accidental touches when using my P30. And once you go bezelless, using the device does feel more futuristic and immersive.

 

[jagolden]

I had a thought the other day while briefly using the Pixel 3a for a day as well as yesterday when I was joking my girlfriend's iPhone 7 Plus. Both had bezels and actually were a breath of fresh air because of the bezels. It was a sense of security that I wasn't going to to accidently bump something. I'm currently using the S10+, so accidental touches are just a part of life with the curved screen.

So my question is, and maybe this will lead to a good discussion. How do you feel about the trend over the last 3 years with the ever shrinking bezels? And what would your sweet spot be?

I think my sweet spot is what the current gen Pixels are doing. And aside from the edge screens, the Galaxy S9/Note 9 series.

I prefer a bezel, even a small one.
A bezel keeps your eyes focused where they are supposed to be, on the screen. Without a bezel your eyes have a tendency to wander "off" the screen. This is Visual Basic 101.
It’s similar to cropping photos or painting pictures. The subject should not generally be in the exact center height-wise. This makes the subject look like it’s "falling off" the bottom. There should always be more space at the bottom than the top.

 

[jamezr]

I had a thought the other day while briefly using the Pixel 3a for a day as well as yesterday when I was joking my girlfriend's iPhone 7 Plus. Both had bezels and actually were a breath of fresh air because of the bezels. It was a sense of security that I wasn't going to to accidently bump something. I'm currently using the S10+, so accidental touches are just a part of life with the curved screen.

So my question is, and maybe this will lead to a good discussion. How do you feel about the trend over the last 3 years with the ever shrinking bezels? And what would your sweet spot be?

I think my sweet spot is what the current gen Pixels are doing. And aside from the edge screens, the Galaxy S9/Note 9 series.

Great questions! Personally..I don't mind bezels. I liked my 8 Plus a great deal. I don't understand the need to get rid of them to be honest. I mean you have to hold the phone somehow. Then I got a lot of false touches with the S10+.

 

[Ralfi]

Love the iPhone X’s practical/minimalist bezels. They’re flat to the screens edge, but taper off at the bezel, allowing smooth gestures entering/exiting the screen area.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Love the iPhone X’s practical/minimalist bezels. They’re flat to the screens edge, but taper off at the bezel, allowing smooth gestures entering/exiting the screen area.

The notch doesn’t look that great aesthetically but you just get used to it after a while and it becomes a non issues. Also I think there is some justification for it because of all the sensors required for Face ID. I think there are better looking full screen android phones but the iPhone XS/XS Max with the flat display is the best for in hand feel and usability. Initially I wasn’t that sold on the X and the idea of a bezelless display, however when I first got the X I loved the gestures instantly. They are so intuitive.

I still think the galaxy S8 has the best overall design aesthetically. There was no notch, hole punch or pop up camera and the bezels at the top and the bottom were minimal.

I don’t really mind bezels too much. I’m fine with them on my iPads.

 

[noobinator]

I'm OK with the no bezels on the OP 7 Pro. I haven't had any accidental touches yet. I do wish it was flat and now curved though. For me, bezel vs minimal bezel would be of little concern compared to the rest of the package.

 

[AustinIllini]

My favorite phone ever was iPhone 4 and it had giant bezels. However, going forward we should expect Apple and Android OEMs to maximize screen size per phone size. This necessitates tiny bezels.

 

[Fernandez21]

I love the no bezel trend, it means larger screens without larger phones. The iPhone X, Galaxy S10e, and Essential Phone have been my favorite phones in quite some time. My only gripe is that with the current notches/punch holes, the status bar at the top is thicker than normal. I look froward to behind the screen cameras.

 

[Ralfi]

I don’t really mind bezels too much. I’m fine with them on my iPads.

iPads differ in that they’re two handed devices, so bezels are required to negate accidental taps on screen.

The notch doesn’t look that great aesthetically but you just get used to it after a while and it becomes a non issues. Also I think there is some justification for it because of all the sensors required for Face ID. I think there are better looking full screen android phones but the iPhone XS/XS Max with the flat display is the best for in hand feel and usability. Initially I wasn’t that sold on the X and the idea of a bezelless display, however when I first got the X I loved the gestures instantly. They are so intuitive.

Yeah, the X notch was never a concern. Saw the benefits as a soon as the renders came out & they lived up to expectations.

I still think the galaxy S8 has the best overall design aesthetically. There was no notch, hole punch or pop up camera and the bezels at the top and the bottom were minimal.

Those bezels still need to be refined imo, because they aren’t mirrored. The Note 10 renders appear to address it, in that the top/bottom are equal in size. The infinity display though, is a drawback - Samsung need to bite the bullet, kill the curved sides & make the rumoured Note 10 top/bottom bezels on all 4 edges.

 

[Zaft]

I definitely want less bezels but not too much. I like the bezels on the XS/Max because they are uniform and are not too thin and not too thick. It’s just the right size at 4mm. Even then I still have times when I touch a part of the screen I did not intend to by mistake.

 

[Cnasty]

I am ok with thin vs no bezels but make the chin and forehead match as I don't like the mismatch on some devices.