Xiaomi Unveils 'World's First' 6.4-inch Phone With Edgeless Display

[iZac]

Except when they call it a hobby, (ATV I’m looking at you), or a beta, (What’s that you say Siri?), when it suits them. They can then blag that there are reasons for a less polished performance right?
They should have called Siri an Alpha. That’s A for amateur.

It could also be that they are likely producing it in low volumes and understand the obvious consumer interest in this new phone.

Apparently it's the tactic they use to offset their thin profit margins. Availability of previous newly released Mi phones was a joke in China. In 6 months when the components are cheaper they can then ramp up production.

 

[iosuser]

I can just picture all the accidental clicks on the edges. iPhone ignores unintended edge touches much more intelligently, which is ironic because of the big bezel minimizing unintended touches.

 

[TrueBlou]

Nice, I'm all for a bezel-less display. If I were an Android person, this would probably jump straight into my shortlist for next phone to buy.

 

[Tig Bitties]

Why isn't this thread in the Alternatives section ? That's where the new Android phone releases get discussed

 

[willmtaylor]

You mean 'used to do'....what piece of Apple hardware has 'blown us away' in the last 3-5 years?

A 'bigger' iPhone that was essentially the same screen size. Since then we've gotten duds like the AW1, MacBook and various sizes of their old tech stuffed in different sized boxes.

Surprises were something that belonged to Apple. Now its coming from everywhere else, except for Apple.

Different is easy. Better is not.

Plenty of Sammy's phones have been different but not better.

Simply changing something takes nothing. Actually improving on greats things is far more challenging.

 

[LordBeelzebub]

No edges? I clearly see an edge along the bottom.

 

[satchmo]

Did Johnny Ive just get Starked?

But honestly, it's all in the implementation and usability. Design is more than just something pretty which anyone can dream up. If it doesn't function properly (i.e. Hand rejection when you're holding it), then it fails from a design standpoint.

 

[RickInHouston]

Let's all say it with me, "But apple will do it better."

Johnny-boy got his bottom kicked by Philippe Starck.

 

[Benny52694]

Looks like ****
[doublepost=1477399210][/doublepost]Looks like shi☹️t

 

[seatton]

Beautiful. Though ISIS still prefers Samsung just kidding.

 

[gpat]

Don't worry, guys, it will be for sale by 2020 in every Apple Store.

 

[djcerla]

WTH are you talking about? Their phones are built real well. My RN4 is sturdier and arguably better looking than my iPhone 6s..

 

[nt5672]

Jonny Ive is just so yesterday.

 

[themick4u]

WOW! Gorgeous and innovative! C'mon Apple, let's go!

 

[RoccoFan]

Dear Apple,

The Stone Age didn't end because we ran out of stone. You're welcome.

 

[peterdevries]

Jonny Ive is just so yesterday.

Hey! Just like your post!

 

[SBlue1]

Why all the hate? I said it before, Xiaomi, Huawei or One Plus are the ones that will innovate.

Why is everyone so obsessed with Samsung? They are really overpriced for what you get. Try One Plus or Xiaomi, those companies really put some effort in design and esthetics. They will rule the market in 5 years. Samsung is focused on copying Apple. They even copy features that are just rumors.

 

[a sleepy bear]

Looks phenomenal. The one thing I'll add is that bezels are underrated as a place to hold the phone. And there's something about asymmetric phones that I hate about Android...

 

[scott911]

nice to see they're can also price higher end models without the need to arbitrarily slap on increments of $100.

 

[Zimmy68]

Why isn't this thread in the Alternatives section ? That's where the new Android phone releases get discussed

Because this isn't about a phone, it is about a tech breakthrough. Big difference.
Read the article.

 

[jkichline]

I'm not sure I understand the obsession with screen size and further don't understand the removal of bezels. I think the purpose of removing the bezels should be to allow a large screen to exist in a smaller device. I have the iPhone 6 Plus which I needed to get as a test device. The large screen changed my usage pattern. Now I need to type and use the device with two hands instead of one which can cause a lot of issues with juggling the device, especially when doing other things. This is exacerbated by the case which adds to the thickness of the device.

When you hold the device, you typically need to hold on to something. I assume that's why they kept the bottom bezel, but it also reduces the symmetry of the device from a design perspective. I also worry that the touch screen would pick up on accidental touches of the screen unless they have some sort of touch rejection built in (doubtful) or better yet incorporate some kind of sensor on the edge of the device to prevent touch when being grasped.

Another issue with a lack of bezel is cases. What can the case attach to exactly to be held in place securely?

Another concern is features. For instance, how good is the sound from a piezo actuator vibrating the edge of the device? What if you are holding it? Wouldn't that mute the sound? Stereo sound seems like it would also not be possible. Front facing camera? Nope. Accurate proximity detection? Dunno. Accidental presses of side switches when holding the device? Sound quality when talking on the phone (since there is no ear driver)

These are some concerns... and all for the sake of an edge to edge screen. Engineering is about managing compromises and a well-designed and engineered device works to make the perfect combination of those realities given technology. You can advance technology to make these sorts of things possible... but I'm not sure that's what was done here. It seems like the typical "lets make the screen bigger" bullcrap from Android manufacturers that have no other means of innovation.

 

[doctor-don]

You would not like to have a 5.5" screen on your phone that can be used one-handed as easily as the 4.7" iPhone? Do you simply not care about one-handed use?

No, I see little benefit to operating my PHONE with one hand.
Little wonder texting has made our grammar garbled and full of mistakes when people simply use the first offering as they are texting with a finger or thumb. Your v. you're and phones (plural) v. phone's (possessive) are two of the most glaring recent errors.

 

[nfilg]

Apart from the fragile MI5, some of Xiaomi phones are built like tanks, sometimes the problem is the RAM management by the MI UI. Also they release too many phones and you lose support/upgrades after the 1st year.

 

[iReality85]

I can see the appeal, but...

A rounded screen? No. It's just that they laminated a rounded bezel over a rectangular screen. I'm sorry, but when I'm viewing content, I want it to appear correctly as it is meant to be... which for movies, games, browsing, etc is going to be rectangular 99.99% of the time. I really hope this isn't going to be a trend.

Also, the bezels look thicker in the actual images than what they appear to be in the press images. Monitor makers got caught red-handed doing this sort of thing (photoshop) a few years ago when 'edge-less' panels were first advertised.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Too bad (Apple) people have to deflect from the point of the article by blaming the fact it looks cheap, runs Android, etc., instead of saying how great this form factor looks. If you have to point fingers, point them at Apple and ask why Apple didn't do this first? "Apple will wait and do it right"...that should be Apple's motto. Unfortunately, copying other manufacturers (who do it first) doesn't help Apple on the innovation front. What happened to Apple doing things first and getting it "right"?