Why doesn't the iPhone drop the notch?

From the old models to the new X models, the iPhone has got an iconic look. You instantly recognize it thanks to the exact aspect ratio, rounded corner radius, as well as the combination of the screen and the home button. The Home button is so iconic that it becomes the 'brand' of iPhone. Other smartphone makers are also starting to make more physical versions of the Home button. So when it comes to the iPhone X, Apple needs to make something different.

With iPhone X, the screen combo and the home button are replaced by another identifier. Even on the drawing, you can tell if a phone is an iPhone (with or without a Home button). That's because of the rabbit ears.

The rabbit ears part plays an important role both in design and technology. Without that specific notch, the iPhone will no longer be an iPhone.

Now, technically, it's clear that Apple has invested a lot in FaceID and won't "downgrade" to fingerprint readers. The company has doubled the number of selfie cameras this year. All these things must be placed in a certain location, along with the audio drivers.

Apple will not give up these gadgets anytime soon and will even maximize the number of technologies that can be included (as long as it fits the space allowed) in one or more years.

Despite advances in Force Touch screen and touch technology for nearly a decade, Apple has neither expanded the screen area nor changed the Home button. It took 5 years for Apple to make the screen size bigger (since iPhone 5) and introduce Lightning technology, then another 5 years to completely change the appearance (this involves developers must also adjust their application).

Even the hardware design doesn't change much after each version. There was no real drastic move until the iPhone X was released (perhaps Apple decided it needed a refreshing way).

iPhone screen size 3.5 '

iPhone 16: 9 screen size iPhone has rabbit ears

iPhone 2G

 

iPhone 5

iPhone X

 

iPhone 3G

 

 

iPhone 5S / 5C

iPhone XR / XS / XS Max

 

iPhone 3GS

 

iPhone 6/6 Plus

iPhone 11/11 Pro / 11 Pro Max

 

iPhone 4

 

iPhone 6S / 6S Plus

iPhone 11S (Expected to be launched in 2020)

 

iPhone 4S

 

iPhone 7/7 Plus

iPhone 12 (Expected release in 2021)

 

iPhone 8/8 Plus

 

Many people love a full-screen iPhone, but it will probably take a long time to get this change. If lucky, maybe users will witness a small design change in 2021. Let's wait and see!

However, the ultra-thin design and eliminating the notch is definitely unlikely. Full-screen phones will also affect the ability to buy iPhones (while Galaxy phones don't have Face ID, even the Iris Scanning feature, and the fingerprint scanner). also slower than Touch ID is still preferred). The floating selfie camera will make the iPhone water-proof less than the IP68-rated iPhone 11 Pro model and probably also less reliable, as it relates to dynamic details. Spatial Sound and stereo speakers will certainly be affected in terms of quality.

Don't wait for the design to get rid of the notch next year and note that any 2020 iPhone predictions could be overblown.

In every iPhone announcement, Android fans are always calling on Apple to copy features that have long been available on other smartphones. And Apple promises to include these features (for both hardware and software) in the near future. As for the full-screen iPhone model, perhaps users will still have to wait for a long time to come.

See more:

1. Why do many Android phones mimic the iPhone X's notch?
2. Will this one-drop design replace rabbit ears on smartphones in 2019?
3. Invite to see the iPhone 2019 concept, high forehead, no rabbit ears, full bottom like Bphone 3