Smartphone displays are constantly evolving, pushing the boundaries of design and functionality to deliver immersive user experiences. Manufacturers continuously strive to maximize the amount of usable screen space on devices. This drive for larger displays, often referred to as increasing the screen-to-body ratio, has shaped various design innovations over the years.
What is a Smartphone Notch
A smartphone notch refers to a cutout area at the top of a phone’s display. This design element was introduced to allow for a larger screen area while still accommodating necessary front-facing components. Its primary purpose is to house components that cannot be placed under the display, such as the front-facing camera, earpiece, and various sensors.
These sensors include proximity sensors that detect when the phone is near your face during calls, ambient light sensors that adjust screen brightness, and facial recognition hardware. The notch became a common design compromise when manufacturers aimed to reduce the bezels around the screen to offer a larger viewing experience.
The Notch Today
As of 2024, the presence of the notch in smartphone design has significantly evolved. While it was once a prominent feature, particularly popularized by the iPhone X in 2017, its appearance has largely diminished or transformed on many devices. Many Android manufacturers have transitioned away from the traditional wide notch, opting for less intrusive designs.
The design of the notch itself has undergone changes, often becoming smaller and less noticeable. Variations like the “waterdrop” or “teardrop” notch, which are smaller and less disruptive cutouts, became common on many mid-range and even some flagship phones. These smaller notches typically house only the front camera, with other sensors moved to the display’s edge or beneath the screen. While premium smartphones increasingly feature alternatives, the notch can still be found on some budget-friendly models, reflecting a continued effort to balance cost and screen real estate.
Display Innovations Moving Forward
The trend in smartphone display design is towards achieving an uninterrupted, full-screen experience. The punch-hole cutout is a widespread alternative to the notch, featuring a small, circular hole directly in the display for the front camera. This design minimizes the obstruction on the screen, offering a more immersive visual area compared to a traditional notch. Many Android devices have adopted this approach, placing the camera in a corner or centered at the top.
Under-display camera (UDC) technology represents a significant leap, aiming to embed the front camera and sensors directly beneath the screen, making them invisible during normal use. While this technology promises bezel-less and cutout-free displays, challenges remain in achieving consistent image quality and sensor performance compared to visible cameras. Apple’s Dynamic Island, introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro, is another innovation that recontextualizes the display cutout. Instead of simply being a static obstruction, this pill-shaped area dynamically expands and contracts to display alerts, notifications, and ongoing background activities, effectively integrating the hardware cutout into the user interface. This approach transforms a necessary hardware element into an interactive and informative part of the display.