iPhone 12 The Real Reason Apple Chose to Not Shrink the Notch

[MacDaddyPanda]

I seriously don't understand why people are so bent up about this? While logically I understand it's not symmetrical aesthetically. But the viewing screen is till there. It's not like it's cutting into the actual viewing portion. Why is it so bothersome for some? LIke before Wide screen became readily ubiquitous people bitched about the black bars on top and bottom. While I didn't care for it, it didn't bother so much that I would feel the need to complain. Cause widescreen TV's were eventually making their way into the market. I'm sure Apple will eventually shrink or minimize the notch at some point.

 

[johnnylarue]

I recall when Apple first introduced the X and everyone was complaining about the notch, someone mentioned that for years the iPhone was immediately identifiable by its face, with the top/bottom bezel, rectangular screen and home button at the center of the bottom bezel. They pointed out that the notch creates a new immediately identifiable face since the home button and huge bezels have disappeared. So it may be about branding as much as anything technical or logistical. If Apple makes a phone that is all screen save for a dot for the camera and a dot for FaceID, how would you know it’s an iPhone looking at just the front of it?

There’s no way Jony Ive’s ultimate design fantasy for the X wasn’t a perfectly smooth black glass slab. The notch was an unfortunate necessary compromise. It’s the kind of thing that gives designers nightmares. ?

 

[slippery-pete]

Full disclosure: While I can’t completely confirm the report I have, my source is close to Apple and has been correct in the past.

One of the biggest questions with the launch of the iPhone 12 series of phones was why Apple didn’t shrink the notch. Apple could have easily done it according to my source within Apple’s production line. Apparently Apple had already been experimenting with prototypes with a smaller notch created by moving the front firing speaker to the top of the phone. However, my source tells me that the production cost for the new layout of the notch was too high compared to the 3 year old layout of the notch that had already had production costs significantly decreased after doing the same layout for 2 years. Ultimately, according to my source, in an effort to have better margins, Apple chose to not shrink the notch.

Cool story. Ummmmm....no

 

[tt061282]

At this point the notch is the iPhone’s identity. Similar to the home button. If you have a phone with a round home button or a notch than it’s most likely an iPhone.

A notch like Apple’s... Android OEM’s haven’t ever really came close to replicating Apple’s notch. I know they are out there, but the notch is the identity I believe from iPhone C and above.

 

[freeagent]

I like the notch, it really isn’t as bad as some make it out to be. I’m not saying I love it, but the alternatives are just that. And with a 6.5 inch screen it is hardly noticed..

 

[Motionblurrr]

I recall when Apple first introduced the X and everyone was complaining about the notch, someone mentioned that for years the iPhone was immediately identifiable by its face, with the top/bottom bezel, rectangular screen and home button at the center of the bottom bezel. They pointed out that the notch creates a new immediately identifiable face since the home button and huge bezels have disappeared. So it may be about branding as much as anything technical or logistical. If Apple makes a phone that is all screen save for a dot for the camera and a dot for FaceID, how would you know it’s an iPhone looking at just the front of it?

Just wait until the Android OEMs manage to go 100% full zero notch with under display cameras.... All android phones will end up looking exactly the same from the front lmao ? What will they do when a $1,000+ Samsung looks exactly the same as a $500 low end midranger from the front? That will be hilarious and interesting to see.

 

[Sorig]

Just wait until the Android OEMs manage to go 100% full zero notch with under display cameras.... All android phones will end up looking exactly the same from the front lmao ? What will they do when a $1,000+ Samsung looks exactly the same as a $500 low end midranger from the front? That will be hilarious and interesting to see.

I think it will certainly be interesting to see what they do with their designs in order to differentiate. But hilarious will be more to see iPhones still using any sort of notch by then. Really, that’s a crappy excuse.

 

[zkap]

I recall when Apple first introduced the X and everyone was complaining about the notch, someone mentioned that for years the iPhone was immediately identifiable by its face, with the top/bottom bezel, rectangular screen and home button at the center of the bottom bezel. They pointed out that the notch creates a new immediately identifiable face since the home button and huge bezels have disappeared. So it may be about branding as much as anything technical or logistical. If Apple makes a phone that is all screen save for a dot for the camera and a dot for FaceID, how would you know it’s an iPhone looking at just the front of it?

Indeed, I think one of the reasons Apple is different to other companies is that they seem to plan years ahead and they don't waste resources when they don't need to. This planning also accounts for features and when they will be released.

The notch was necessary because they wanted to differentiate the iPhone with FaceID, but couldn't put it under the display. And so they introduced the notch, which at first people didn't exactly love, but it's become part of the identity of the phone and Apple milked it. The notch just screamed iPhone and it's so recognizable that smartphone icons now show a phone with the notch. TV commercials that market apps for various services show an unbranded phone with a notch etc. It's become so synonymous with the iPhone that Apple don't have to rush to remove it.

Which is why I think they are waiting to remove the notch when they come to a point where it will be the differentiating factor. Last year it was the third camera, this year redesign and 5G, next year it will be ProMotion and then probably the year after that they will remove the notch. The days of S updates ended with the release of the X line-up, it's no longer enough to just improve everything under the hood because the phones are so good and can last a long time, so Apple needs to find differentiators every year to market with the new iPhone. Getting rid of the notch will be a big deal and they can't let that go to waste. This is why I am always amused when people are upset at the release of the new iPhone with the same notch. They aren't going to waste that on a refresh that already has selling points. Instead, they'll space it out and make sure every Fall there's something to talk about, because how much can you improve the A14 and why would you need to.

This is my guess. I don't have any actual info on anything, just what I see with other aspects of the Apple ecosystem. Apple don't rush to update too many things all at once because otherwise you kill the appeal that the future iterations would have. Seems like smart management and good business to me. Yes, we'd like all of the features to come yesterday, but there's nothing in it for Apple, so... Frankly, it would be stupid to remove the notch now when there are other changes to be sold first.

 

[1rottenapple]

You know it’s non-issue for me. I like how when you watch a movie you know the person is using an iPhone. If it’s an android when you look at the screen it’s hard to tell what it is. I think it’s part of the design and will stay with us for quiet a while. It’s not like it’s hurt their sales. They are not able to meet demand for the 12 according to reports.

 

[Packers1958]

I am in direct contact with Steve Jobs in the afterlife. He says "It's not true. And by the way, you are still holding it wrong."

 

[I7guy]

I would say, cost is always something to be concerned about, where you’re a mega-corporation an “average” earner or upper crust person.

 

[bpeeps]

If Apple wanted to save money, they would have continued to use LCD.

And they would have been a laughing stock. They're pretty close to that concerning 120hz.

 

[JPack]

And they would have been a laughing stock. They're pretty close to that concerning 120hz.

Laughing all the way to the bank, perhaps. The XR was the best selling smartphone in the world in 2019. And the iPhone 11 is the best selling smartphone in 2020 by far.

 

[ian87w]

Imo the notch has become part of the design. If Apple change it, they will probably make another special iPhone first, like the iPhone X.
I’m guessing we will see something new on the iPhone 15

 

[ian87w]

And they would have been a laughing stock. They're pretty close to that concerning 120hz.

Doesn’t seem so. Sure, some youtubers pointed that out, but then I hardly see the lack of 120Hz being a huge con for the iPhone 12 on any of the reviews.

If Samsung themselves have to drop resolution to 1080p to get 120Hz, Apple is fine. And those high refresh rate screens on budget Androids? They actually not that great in reality with issues like ghostings (eg the Poco X3).

 

[Nozuka]

I don't think making it smaller will change anything for me... since i don't notice it anymore.

I guess it has more space for some additional status icons i don't need?

 

[Lakersfan74]

The notch should go all the way across like a bezel and the screen starts below it

 

[ian87w]

The notch should go all the way across like a bezel and the screen starts below it

Then it will be called a bezel, and the same people will complain how it looks like a phone from 5 years ago. There’s a reason why the Android OEMs are intentionally putting drops/holes etc to get that bezelless look. There’s no going back, a bezel simply doesn’t look modern nowadays.

 

[satchmo]

I recall early on that the iPhone’s larger notch is a result of a more secure FaceID than other systems.

Better sensors were larger and why Apple couldn’t go the route of using a small circle dot.

I’m not sure how accurate that is or if Android phones are inherently less secure. Or that Android phones decided to simply go with a fingerprint sensor on the back instead.

 

[EmbraceTheOne]

I like the notch! Sue me ?‍♂️