Should Apple Embrace the Notch or Hide the Notch [Debate]

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Posted August 3, 2017 at 5:45pm by iClarified

Although Apple has accidentally confirmed the basic hardware design of its next generation iPhone, little information has been revealed about how iOS will handle the design on the software side.

The notched top bezel and edge-to-edge screen open some exciting possibilities for the user interface. Many designers believe Apple will take advantage of the 'function area' and virtual home button to move navigation controls to the bottom of the device. This would make it much easier to use your iPhone with just one hand, your thumb being used to navigate back and forth between pages.

Another big decision will be what to do with the notch at the top of the screen. Apple could choose to hide the notch by placing a black status bar on either side of it, or the company could 'embrace the notch' by leaving the top left and top right corners the same as the page color. A similar decision needs to be made for the bottom function area. Apple could make it black and blend it in with the bezel or it could be any other color making the edge-to-edge display more noticeable.

Designer Max Rudberg has mocked up what these various possibilities would look like.

Beforehand I was fond of the idea of blending the statusbar with the hardware, but seeing the mockups like this, I’m not so sure. Blending the statusbar with the hardware makes the screen seem smaller than it is and the result is less striking. I’m now leaning towards that Apple will embrace the notch.

Take a look at the image below and let us know which you prefer in the comments! Don't forget to follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for more iPhone updates.

Should Apple Embrace the Notch or Hide the Notch [Debate]

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jahmed80 - August 4, 2017 at 12:02pm

Go all in bebe...!! Make everypixel shine...!!! Or they can have both available..

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D4xM4Nx - August 4, 2017 at 8:22am

Make it fully customizable ala activator with options about what to show or hide, either top or down we place it wherever we want to. Even colors of our choosing, that'll be great!!

bored123 - August 4, 2017 at 7:55am

i like #3. wouldn't mind #2 too..

KURAC - August 4, 2017 at 12:06am

Debate? Who cares? It is already decided noone asks you

Meh - August 3, 2017 at 11:09pm

It is already decided... and it will be the trend setter. All phones will adopt the notch moving forward...

Chris - August 3, 2017 at 10:06pm

#2 should be on white phones.

Jonny+317 - August 3, 2017 at 10:00pm

Please release one where the bezels are smaller/ thinner but not necesarily shaved off, leaving this stupic 'notch.' I love my white iphone 6S, and though it may look dated next to the G6 or the S8, it's still more pleasent to the eye with white. A smaller white frame around the screen would be better than a stupid eye sore notch and corresponding "endless" dsiplay (covered by my palm and fingers). You geeks may now attack my personal preference as 'wrong,' but it's about design choices that lend pleasent viewing and not eradicating the frame unnecessairly. Even fine art has a frame! There's a reason why most people have white iphones now, and even the (Red) one was realeased with a white front. Also, I don't care at all about the finger print sensor location. Face recognition should be cool. And I don't care at all about an OLED screen, especially if I have to lose 3D touch!!!

Aric - August 3, 2017 at 9:49pm

I don't think it will be any of these options. The home button doesn't need to be circular anymore. It can be a flattened retangle and save space. I think it will be similar to the 4th mock up but the bottom bezel will be thinner and and the same height as the top virtual bezel. Balanced.

Aric - August 3, 2017 at 9:52pm

Only problem is, it might be hard to tap the bottom function bar one handed. I just tried it on my iPhone 6 and my little finger kind of props up the phone when I hold it. Tapping the bottom bezel with my thumb is difficult and my little finger gets in the way.

Captain Tugwash - August 3, 2017 at 9:37pm

My bet is on a MacBook Pro info / function bar related to what you are doing at that time at the top and similar with functions at the bottom.

asd - August 3, 2017 at 9:14pm

Duscisting design, no audio jack, stick to my iphone 6 until now

Pika Pika - August 3, 2017 at 8:57pm

Titan3636 - August 3, 2017 at 7:08pm

it’ll stay black throughout the UI. Also, the home button will have the animated siri in it like on ios11 when you close Siri (also seen on the Siri button on the new Siri watch face.) Clock will be integrated as well somehow on top bar.

Titan3636 - August 3, 2017 at 7:13pm

To see the Siri i’m taking about on ios11 engage Siri from the lock screen but don’t say anything. After her 2nd request saying “ok I’m listening” it’ll go to the “things you can ask me” screen that changes it to what the home button will look like. Pretty awesome animation. That’s appears to be what the bottom portion of the iPhone 8 will look like.

Buddy2 - August 3, 2017 at 6:54pm

It will be interesting to see where Apple decides to put the time.

Marcos Paulo - August 3, 2017 at 6:07pm

A SMARTPHONE THAT DOESN'T SHOW THE CLOCK WTF APPLE?

Buy Apple Watch

Dave - August 3, 2017 at 5:53pm

Embrace the notch. Probably not gonna happen but I'm a damn of the second picture. Here's to hoping......

Fan, not damn smh