iPhone X The Notch - One Year On

[zakarhino]

Very simple thread, I know the notch (and the software design decision surrounding it) was a very controversial topic upon the iPhone X's announcement. I'm curious as to how people feel about it one year later, specifically I really want to hear from the people that were skeptical about it first but became fine with it once they got the device in their hands. I also want to hear from people that think the software should have been designed different to incorporate the notch in a different way (i.e, the two areas beside the notch should have been blacked out and rounded off, akin to some of the early artist concepts we saw).

Not looking for sarcastic meta discussion from Apple apologist about how people never should have had a problem with it in a first place because they should just move to Android if they're discontent with Apple's design decisions... No.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I understand why the notch has to be there.

My only issue with the notch is that it cuts out content when you try and play videos in full screen mode. However I think I won't have this issue when the X plus comes out becuase the screen will be big enough so I wouldn't feel the need to make it fill the screen for videos. When in apps or browsing the Web I don't even notice the notch anymore.

I wasn't really bothered about the notch when it came out because I see it as necessary to house all of the sensors.

 

[44267547]

Initially when I first saw renders of the notch, I was unsure of how this will all mesh with the new iPhone. But given that it houses all the Face ID components, it’s never been a hindrance to me using the phone in any manner.

And for my next consideration for the 6.5 iPhone X, the notch does not prohibit me from considering it.

 

[tarsins]

It's never bothered me, in fact I see it as opposite: it moves the status icons out of the main screen.

 

[kasakka]

I still feel those mockups where the ears were blacked out and the "actual" screen space had little rounded corners looked much better than what Apple went with. I can understand that Apple's choice makes it look like the screen is bigger but the mockup represents the usable area and gives it better balance while making the notch unnoticeable.

I'm surprisingly ok with it otherwise because it does result in a physically smaller phone. I still hope Apple and other manufacturers can figure out how to get rid of it in future iterations.

 

[democracyrules]

Very simple thread, I know the notch (and the software design decision surrounding it) was a very controversial topic upon the iPhone X's announcement. I'm curious as to how people feel about it one year later, specifically I really want to hear from the people that were skeptical about it first but became fine with it once they got the device in their hands. I also want to hear from people that think the software should have been designed different to incorporate the notch in a different way (i.e, the two areas beside the notch should have been blacked out and rounded off, akin to some of the early artist concepts we saw).

Not looking for sarcastic meta discussion from Apple apologist about how people never should have had a problem with it in a first place because they should just move to Android if they're discontent with Apple's design decisions... No.

Behold the notch. It never gives any issues to the real iPhone X owners. The notch haters generally are the fake iPhone X owners who claim owning it.

 

[960design]

Very simple thread, I know the notch (and the software design decision surrounding it) was a very controversial topic upon the iPhone X's announcement.

Feel about the notch? I do not feel anything. I feel for displaced people, starving, non-immunized children, governments ignoring the needs of the many over the wants of a few, societal clickbait driving opinions, Sasquatch sleeping on a good mattress and many other things, but not the notch.

 

[mrochester]

I understand why the notch has to be there.

My only issue with the notch is that it cuts out content when you try and play videos in full screen mode. However I think I won't have this issue when the X plus comes out becuase the screen will be big enough so I wouldn't feel the need to make it fill the screen for videos. When in apps or browsing the Web I don't even notice the notch anymore.

I wasn't really bothered about the notch when it came out because I see it as necessary to house all of the sensors.

Do people really watch videos on such tiny screens? The 12.9” iPad is just about passable for video watching size wise.

 

[Ralfi]

The Notch would have to be one of the most whinged about non-issue's in the tech world.

It proved that the internet was chock full of pessimistic mindsets who saw it as an evil, when it in fact brought about more positives than negatives.

But the vocal minority always shouts louder than the satisfied majority online eh...

 

[Shanghaichica]

Do people really watch videos on such tiny screens? The 12.9” iPad is just about passable for video watching size wise.

Yes short videos like YouTube stuff on the go. I have 2 iPads but there are times when I want to watch a YouTube video on my phone.
[doublepost=1532609315][/doublepost]

I still feel those mockups where the ears were blacked out and the "actual" screen space had little rounded corners looked much better than what Apple went with. I can understand that Apple's choice makes it look like the screen is bigger but the mockup represents the usable area and gives it better balance while making the notch unnoticeable.

I'm surprisingly ok with it otherwise because it does result in a physically smaller phone. I still hope Apple and other manufacturers can figure out how to get rid of it in future iterations.

The mock ups showed the notch as white and showed all the sensor cut outs. What Apple actually produced was so much better than the mock ups.

 

[Raist3001]

I always looked at the bezel notch as gaining screen real estate as it positions the status icons out of the way. Speaking for myself, the bezel notch is unnoticeable when I am using my phone and only becomes a hindrance when watching video. The X+ should fix this

 

[redgreenski]

Back last year when I heard of the notch on iPhone X I decided against upgrading my iPhone 7 Plus and instead decided to spend that money on new professional camera.
Last week my iPhone 7 Plus stopped charging via the lightning port. I didn’t have apple care so I was SOL. So I bought iPhone 10 (with apple care this time), I’m quite impressed by the phone but I can’t say that I am fine with the notch. It is a waste of screen space, looks odd and I deal with it because I have no choice.

 

[Ralfi]

It is a waste of screen space, looks odd and I deal with it because I have no choice.

You're gaining screen space if you're coming from a non-plus phone.

Those who did their research would've known this.

 

[The-Rift]

Bring on...! 6.1 lcd, I don’t any problems with notch

 

[Superhappytree]

Looks awful and is still awful. I didn’t mind when the rumours about it were rampant because I thought Apple would do the smart thing and black them out as was rumoured with those numerous mock ups. When I saw the official unveiling of it at the keynote however I was mortified because it just looked so stupid and awful, I had so much face-palm disappointment that they would just leave it like that. Yes, I’m “used to it” now like all of you but that doesn’t mean it isn’t one of the most stupid and hideous design decisions that I’ve ever seen. No other screen in the history of screens (I’m sure I will be pointed to some obscure one from long ago though) has ever had a notch, they have all been uniform and that’s what the issue is because it just doesn’t look right, especially when it cuts into your damn content. It’s like watching TV with a coke bottle or something constantly blocking your view. Yes, you can mentally block it out but it’s still a nuisance that it’s even there.

Another thing about about the notch is it is only temporary because Apple is eventually going to get rid of it once the tech to hide the sensors is ready. When they do get rid of it I highly, highly doubt there will be anyone saying: “Damn why did they have to get rid of the notch? I miss it already “. You weren’t craving it before and you won’t be craving it back once it has disappeared.

To say: “Ah it’s no big deal you get used to it anyway” just gives Apple a pass for bad design. Apple used to focus on such glaring details and this one is so in your face that it is still bizarre to me it even made production meetings, especially with the way they’ve handled it with software. Looks cluttered when combined with the home bar and rounded corners (that are another issue of mine) and hinders the content you are viewing.

I’ve even seen people go so far as saying how they “love it and wouldn’t want a phone without it” which is ridiculous to me. Will you be saying that in say 2-5 years when it is no more? I don’t think so.

 

[Dino F]

I don’t actually have an iPhone X (have the 8 Plus but will upgrading either to the new X or the current X, come this September).

To be honest, there’s really only one thing which I don’t like about the notch and that’s the fact that it doesn’t show the battery %age in one of the ‘ears’ along with the other stuff! I know it shows the battery but I can’t believe there is no space to have the %age as well....!

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I still feel those mockups where the ears were blacked out and the "actual" screen space had little rounded corners looked much better than what Apple went with. I can understand that Apple's choice makes it look like the screen is bigger but the mockup represents the usable area and gives it better balance while making the notch unnoticeable.

I'm surprisingly ok with it otherwise because it does result in a physically smaller phone. I still hope Apple and other manufacturers can figure out how to get rid of it in future iterations.

This, 100%. I wasn't too happy with the notch, but it was tolerable. 8 months on, the software really does a dis-service to the notch, and between it and the horrible face ID tech causing the phone to turn the screen on whenever you move it, the phone is becoming less and less desirable.

I should note that the phone is my wife's, and she's looking at replacing it with an SE.

 

[The Game 161]

Looks fine to me now so used to it and it’s normal one for Android it seems.

 

[nburwell]

The notch never bothered me. Hence why I pre-ordered the X when it went live. The notch still does not bother me to this day.

 

[Newtons Apple]

The notch was never an issue for me. I was amazed how many here were so bothered, but then we are all different!

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I’ve always felt the notch looked like a design compromise to package technology that is cutting edge but in its early days. I still think it’s ugly but not bad enough that it would stop me buying the phone. It’s a tool at the end of the day and nobody I know gives a toss what your phone looks like. I’ll leave that to the posers lol.

The notch will probably be gone by the time I own an X variant as my next iPhone will be an 8. I doubt it’ll be there in 2 years time.

 

[timeconsumer]

I still think the same thing about the notch as I did at release. It’s fine for portrait mode but for landscape viewing I don’t like it at all.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Honestly I don’t notice it. I’m sure the notch will continue to be reduced until it won’t be necessary as technology permits.

 

[MEJHarrison]

Do people really watch videos on such tiny screens? The 12.9” iPad is just about passable for video watching size wise.

Nonsense. If you're placing your iPad next to your TV set, you have a valid point. But every person I know has the screen considerably closer than they would normal sit with a TV. It's not just the size of the screen that comes into play here. You also need to account for the viewing distance as well. The two work together to determine your field of view.

Let me put it this way. One night I was sitting and watching TV and got curious about which was the "bigger" screen. So I held my 10.5" iPad out where I'd normally have it while watching something (it usually sits in my lap) and lined it up with the 55" TV across the room. From my vantage point, the iPad was a "bigger" screen.

 

[Small White Car]

It never gives any issues to the real iPhone X owners.

I love that people always say "vote with your dollars! Don't buy something if you don't like it! You can't complain now."

And then if you do that, it becomes "well you didn't buy it so you don't get an opinion!"

it's a pretty clever trick to get 100% agreement on your side; simply say everyone who disagrees "doesn't count."

I still feel those mockups where the ears were blacked out and the "actual" screen space had little rounded corners looked much better than what Apple went with.

Exactly. I hate when people say "but they have to put the sensors somewhere!"

Yeah. No. The hardware is fine. It's the way the software deals with the hardware that I'm not a fan of.