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Other True or False: The iPhone "notch" issue is overblown

The iPhone "Notch" is overblown and not really a big deal

  • True

    Votes: 126 81.8%

  • False

    Votes: 28 18.2%
  • Total voters
    154
mdhaus72

mdhaus72

macrumors regular
Original poster
Dec 29, 2018
222
300
I currently have an 11 Pro Max and due to a $1000 upgrade credit that I can apply to either a 12-series or 13-series, I have a 13 Pro Max on the way. One of the so-called "benefits" is that it has a smaller notch. That's cool....but I also don't understand why the notch is such a big deal to begin with. My 11 Pro Max was my first phone to have it and frankly, after the first day or so, I never even noticed that it was there. Obviously, you get a much cleaner look without a notch...but does anyone else agree that all of the histrionics over it are completely overblown...especially when we're likely to still see a small cutout or something else in the area if/when it goes away?
 
Aesthetics aside, the main drawback of the notch IMO is not being able to see the exact battery percentage at a glance. But I've never run out of juice in my iPhone 13 before I could plug it in, so it's hardly a great loss.
 
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yitwail said:
Aesthetics aside, the main drawback of the notch IMO is not being able to see the exact battery percentage at a glance. But I've never run out of juice in my iPhone 13 before I could plug it in, so it's hardly a great loss.
Click to expand...

I would argue that’s not down to the notch, especially on the narrow iPhone 13s one, but rather down to Apple refusing to give us what we want. They could easily add the percentage if they so choose.
 
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mdhaus72 said:
I currently have an 11 Pro Max and due to a $1000 upgrade credit that I can apply to either a 12-series or 13-series, I have a 13 Pro Max on the way. One of the so-called "benefits" is that it has a smaller notch. That's cool....but I also don't understand why the notch is such a big deal to begin with. My 11 Pro Max was my first phone to have it and frankly, after the first day or so, I never even noticed that it was there. Obviously, you get a much cleaner look without a notch...but does anyone else agree that all of the histrionics over it are completely overblown...especially when we're likely to still see a small cutout or something else in the area if/when it goes away?
Click to expand...
I've never had a problem with the notch and as far as I am concerned all the hype, rage and outbursts about it are entirely misplaced.

There has been a fugly camera boil on the back of the iPhone since the 6 series. And with every new iPhone it's done nothing but get larger and bulge out more. That's where all the outrage needs to be focused.

It needs to be lanced.

With the same fervor that others have for getting rid of the notch and returning the headphone jack.
 
Last edited:
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yitwail said:
Aesthetics aside, the main drawback of the notch IMO is not being able to see the exact battery percentage at a glance. But I've never run out of juice in my iPhone 13 before I could plug it in, so it's hardly a great loss.
Click to expand...
A full width status bar would be so useful as the space could be used to display all kinds of info.
 
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I think overblown, and note that Apple have sold many millions of notch phones including two to me. Further, it may be the notch has become an Apple icon, a feature that makes the front of the phone instantly recognisable; how many times have you noticed it on TV? And hasn't the notch even spread to MacBooks? It has. All hail the notch!
 
I have the XS Max, looking for an upgrade this year or the next.

I still notice the notch from time to time. I mean, it's there. Those who say you stop seeing it after a time are lying to you. What happens is that you will be less aware of it, or "get used to it". But never to the point that it's 100 percent unnoticeable.

I miss the old full size status bar, and I am looking forward to its return.
 
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Spudlicious said:
Further, it may be the notch has become an Apple icon, a feature that makes the front of the phone instantly recognisable; how many times have you noticed it on TV?
Click to expand...
Instantly recognizable? ;)

This is my iPhone 11 Pro Max, which has a notch. I photographed it with my 6s+, which does not have a notch.

2022-07-22 14.15.35.jpg

Can you see and instantly recognize the notch on my 11PM? I can't. Maybe your eyes are better?


Spudlicious said:
And hasn't the notch even spread to MacBooks? It has. All hail the notch!
Click to expand...
It has. But the youngest Mac I use is a 2015 MBP and it's not mine. My own youngest MBP is a 2008 MBP.

In both cases, no notch.

:D
 
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yitwail said:
Aesthetics aside, the main drawback of the notch IMO is not being able to see the exact battery percentage at a glance. But I've never run out of juice in my iPhone 13 before I could plug it in, so it's hardly a great loss.
Click to expand...
THIS. I could put up with the notch if I COULD JUST SEE MY BATTERY PERCENTAGE. Drives me crazy.
 
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I had the XR and 11 PM before my 13 PM. The notches in all of them weren’t intrusive at all. It’s there to fit a specific, functional purpose which is to house the TrueDepth camera system. I’d pick the notch design all day over uneven sizes of the chin and forehead designs.
 
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Notch design should always be considered temporary until under the screen camera becomes advance enough, or better alternatives are present. I don’t care how apple frames it, I can always notice it when I play games on my phone even tho games are optimised to not display critical info in that area. Same for watching Videos.

MacBook having notch is just as bad as iPhone, only worse cause it literally cuts menubar in half. Sure it does give a bit of extra screen space but that cutoff is even easier to notice than on iPhone since it is well within the vision range of normal viewing. Many people claims they have mentally ignored the notch, but I can’t.

So, is it overblown? Maybe. But it will continue to be controversial until a better solution comes out.
 
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eyoungren said:
I've never had a problem with the notch and as far as I am concerned all the hype, rage and outbursts about it are entirely misplaced.

There has been a fugly camera boil on the back of the iPhone since the 6 series. And with every new iPhone it's done nothing but get larger and bulge out more. That's where all the outrage needs to be focused.

It needs to be lanced.

In the same way that others feel the notch needs to go and the headphone jack needs to return.
Click to expand...
Eh...I'm willing to cut Apple some slack on the camera bulge. Frankly, it's pretty amazing what we have for camera technology in these devices - and all it takes is that relatively small elevated section on the back! Plus, your case ends up disguising the bulge anyway, so it's not a big deal.
 
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I just bought a 13 Pro Max4 days ago. Read about ‘the notch’. Not sure if I have one 🥸 If I
do, it’s a complete non issue for me.Unless it makes the phone run slower, hotter or with a lower battery life, why would I care? Is it b/c it breaks some JonynIve aesthetic? Not symetrical enough?

Tom
 
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