13 phones with screen notches: iPhone XS, Pixel 3 XL, OnePlus 6T and more
Smartphones are continually evolving, and one design feature that has become a hallmark of modern mobile devices is the screen notch. Initially met with mixed reactions, the notch has become a common sight on many flagship and mid-range phones. Here’s a look at 13 smartphones that have embraced this design choice, leading to a distinctive aesthetic and allowing for more screen real estate.
1. iPhone XS: One of Apple’s flagships, the iPhone XS features a sleek and sizeable notch that houses its TrueDepth camera system for Face ID and selfie capabilities.
2. Pixel 3 XL: Google’s Pixel 3 XL sports a deep notch at the top of its display, providing space for its dual front-facing cameras and speaker.
3. OnePlus 6T: The OnePlus 6T presents a minimalist teardrop notch that neatly houses the front-facing camera, offering an unobtrusive design.
4. LG G7 ThinQ: The LG G7 ThinQ comes with a secondary screen option to black out the sides of the notch, creating a traditional bezel look if preferred.
5. Huawei P20 Pro: The Huawei P20 Pro shows off a small notch that can be hidden with a software black bar while still keeping status icons accessible.
6. Xiaomi Mi 8: Featuring an infrared face unlock system, the Xiaomi Mi 8 includes a wide notch at the top of its display.
7. Oppo F9: The Oppo F9 boasts a ‘Waterdrop’ screen with a tiny notch, focusing on maximizing screen space without compromising on the selfie camera.
8. Vivo V11 Pro: Sporting an ‘Halo Fullview’ display, the Vivo V11 Pro also has a small notch that follows the waterdrop design philosophy.
9. ASUS ZenFone 5Z: The ASUS ZenFone 5Z offers AI capabilities in its camera system housed within its noticeable notch.
10. Nokia 6.1 Plus: The Nokia 6.1 Plus—a return to form for the brand—features a display cutout that gives it an edge-to-edge display look.
11. Motorola P30: With resemblance to some top-tier famous models, the Motorola P30 also adopts the screen notch seamlessly into its design.
12. Honor View 20 (V20): Taking another approach, although not exactly in line with traditional notches, Honor View 20 includes an in-screen camera cutout—a punch-hole—to minimize bezels.
13. Essential PH-1: One of the earliest adopters of the notch trend was Essential Phone (PH-1) with its tiny circular cut-out for the selfie camera—paving away for future designs.
As smartphones continue to innovate, screen notches have served as an interesting stepping stone in design evolution—providing users with more display area while accommodating essential sensors and cameras. Love them or hate them; these devices offer diverse options for those who prioritize screen space and cutting-edge tech in their pocket-sized companions.