Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

topomango

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 28, 2011
27
30
I received my new 14 Pro yesterday and was very excited to try the dynamic island. I have to say it sucks. I found the notch on the 13 pro somewhat intrusive, but the island is all on another level. When I open Safari/Mail/calendar or other programs with a white background, the island looks like a big black spot in the middle of the screen, which significantly interferes with my regular phone usage. I am not sure if I will be able to adjust.
 
After 12 hours or so on the 14 Pro Max, had to do something on the ol' ball and chain's 11 Pro and let me tell you, the notch is cringe and dated.
Like an ancient relic from a less civilised time. An anachronism. Should be buried with dear old Liz.
 
I was hoping every time I exit from an app it goes up to the dynamic island, idk I like the animation.... but I guess it's just music apps and whatever app that plays in the background....
 
I received my new 14 Pro yesterday and was very excited to try the dynamic island. I have to say it sucks. I found the notch on the 13 pro somewhat intrusive, but the island is all on another level. When I open Safari/Mail/calendar or other programs with a white background, the island looks like a big black spot in the middle of the screen, which significantly interferes with my regular phone usage. I am not sure if I will be able to adjust.

Return it.
 
It’s at its worst watching vertical videos on tik tok. Just a big blob. feels like it won’t be around in a few generations.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: PirateP
I received my new 14 Pro yesterday and was very excited to try the dynamic island. I have to say it sucks. I found the notch on the 13 pro somewhat intrusive, but the island is all on another level. When I open Safari/Mail/calendar or other programs with a white background, the island looks like a big black spot in the middle of the screen, which significantly interferes with my regular phone usage. I am not sure if I will be able to adjust.

Just don't look at the island lol xd
 
Notch = old and busted. Island = new hotness. I can’t believe how much better it is. Maybe because now I look at it as a notification and information center. Instead of trying to ignore it I’m interacting with it and referring to it. Also I use dark mode. But come on, the island is where it’s at. Don’t get voted off, embrace the island.
 
Island is super for marketing to sell you the phone, but suck for using it since you cannot really use with one hand to touch the island and also the notch is lower so the effective area is smaller, then you will see a lot of apps or browsers just show content with part of the notch or whole Notch.

Anyway expensive 14 pro series but actually this island thing is worse than old notch.
 
So far from playing around with my Pro, it seems only a few apps utilise Dynamic Island (Apple Music for example)…which other ones use it well and for those loving it, how has it made a difference? I know I’m missing something as it only seems easier to switch between some apps but that’s it?
 
I received my new 14 Pro yesterday and was very excited to try the dynamic island. I have to say it sucks. I found the notch on the 13 pro somewhat intrusive, but the island is all on another level. When I open Safari/Mail/calendar or other programs with a white background, the island looks like a big black spot in the middle of the screen, which significantly interferes with my regular phone usage. I am not sure if I will be able to adjust.
It will be interesting to see if you get used to it. I've never gotten used to the notch on the XS or 13PM, but for others they do. The functionality of the DI I would assume somewhat helps, but in terms of Screen Real Estate and how it works with video and content, it does seem at this point to be worse than the notch on the 13PM.


After 12 hours or so on the 14 Pro Max, had to do something on the ol' ball and chain's 11 Pro and let me tell you, the notch is cringe and dated.
Like an ancient relic from a less civilised time. An anachronism. Should be buried with dear old Liz.
11Pro has the older, bigger notch compared to the 13P/PM. Obviously the Notch isn't interactive, but in terms of screen real estate it can be argued the 13PM notch is superior to the DI.

This is really the only response that matters. If you’re unhappy with your purchase for whatever reason, there’s nothing anyone here is going to be able to do for you.
So if you want to discuss or debate the cons of a new piece of kit then you should just return it? It is an option though. I think purchases can cover a spectrum of how satisfied one is with it. The OP has mentioned they will have to suck it up. I find the OPs view pretty rational tbf.
 
  • Like
Reactions: klasma
I never really noticed either the notch or the island. Since Apple is such a tight ecosystem, the apps are all designed around them so you rarely have anything going on up there worth looking at.

With the island I do like that the narrower width has allowed them to use that extra space. It could use some refinement and added app support. So far I’ve liked the quick access to timers, music, maps, etc.
 
If you’re not satisfied return it. It took me a few days to get used to the notch same with the DI. I’m sure there will be more apps that will use the DI.
You have to make a informed decision for yourself whether the phone is for you.

People post that this feature sucks or that feature sucks or It’s not really a upgrade or I’m bored already with the 14 Pro etc. They are looking for a vote of confidence of what might be a unpopular opinion on a iPhone forum.

Right now with iPhones it’s Notch or Dynamic Island. Those are your choices. Pick one or switch to a Android based device. It’s that simple.
 
I received my new 14 Pro yesterday and was very excited to try the dynamic island. I have to say it sucks. I found the notch on the 13 pro somewhat intrusive, but the island is all on another level. When I open Safari/Mail/calendar or other programs with a white background, the island looks like a big black spot in the middle of the screen, which significantly interferes with my regular phone usage. I am not sure if I will be able to adjust.
its new.
its different.
Takes getting used to.

And, "in the middle of the screen" is a tad of an exaggeration isn't it. hardly in the middle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kitKAC
Island is super for marketing to sell you the phone, but suck for using it since you cannot really use with one hand to touch the island and also the notch is lower so the effective area is smaller, then you will see a lot of apps or browsers just show content with part of the notch or whole Notch.

Anyway expensive 14 pro series but actually this island thing is worse than old notch.
The 14 Pro isn't marketed by Apple as a one-handed use phone.
The island doesn't really take anymore space than the notch and it doesn't interfere with the screen. The problem is the island seems to distract people when it is active and people are using a webpage etc. A lot of complaining going for something that barely registers on the a real complaint scale.
 
I’m mulling returning it for other reasons - mainly lack of practical improvement over my 12P and a comically large camera array. But I do think the Island is actually pretty neat. The notch is just a notch - it’s dead space on the screen. I’m enjoying how the island is more of a notification hub.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smoking monkey
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.