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It’s time we embraced the iPhone 8’s notch

Published Aug 11th, 2017 5:01PM EDT

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We’ve had a long look at the iPhone 8’s final design now, thanks to all the recent leaks from Apple-published HomePod firmware. Recent code discoveries also brought to the surface details about the screen, including its actual size, and the way the virtual home button will behave. Developers have already come up with a few iPhone screen designs that are probably getting closer to what Apple has actually done.

The iPhone 8 will offer buyers and edge-to-edge screen, but that’s not the entire story. The phone’s almost-perfect design is ruined by a bezel protrusion at the top that’s a necessary evil. The iPhone has various components that need to face the user, including the selfie camera, the phone speaker, the new 3D facial recognition system (a bunch of extra cameras), and various sensors. That’s why the top notch is there.

But that notch ruins the phone’s perfect symmetry, which is why the iPhone 8’s design is such a hotly debated story.

Following the discoveries made by developer Steve Troughton Smith, designers came out with various screen concepts that show how Apple might deal with the top Notch. Designer Maksim Petriv has a pretty good idea:

This particular design solves two problems, it covers the corners of the notch and provides symmetry.

But that home button placement isn’t set in stone. The virtual button will appear and disappear, making room for extra real estate for apps:

Here’s what apps will probably look like on the new iPhone:

Here’s a mockup showing the copper iPhone version:
https://twitter.com/talkaboutdesign/status/895825430225223681

And here’s what a white iPhone 8 would look like:

But white is a terrible color for the phone, as it brings extra attention to the notch.

The same Petriv imagined what happens in a video playing app if Apple does decide to fully embrace the notch:

Yes, Drogon, burn that bezel with fire if you can.

Petriv did come up with ways to hide the notch:

But Apple will likely use those display “ears,” so don’t count on them to quietly go into the dark.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.