[Tech] iPhone 13 Rumors : Smaller Notch?

Approaching the end of the 3rd quarter of 2021, it is highly expected that Apple will soon release a new version of their flagship series : iPhone.

As a tech fanatic, (and as a person who is planning to move on to Apple's products from Samsung's) I dove into the specifics about the rumors surrounding the new iPhone 13. Some of the rumors are bringing up the hype, and some are considered questionable.

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# A Smaller Notch

This is definitely a great news for iPhone users, or someone out there planning to buy an iPhone.

The notch first appeared in the iPhone X, where Apple first exploited the Face ID feature. As we all know, most of the space notch takes up is where the sensor used for Face ID is implanted. Unlike Samsung's Galaxy that uses the devices' camera to capture our face before unlocking it via face recognition, an infrared sensor and a dot projector scan one's facial information to unlock the device in the case of iPhone. (That's why it is still possible to unlock an iPhone even when its camera function is disabled.)

Competing tech companies like Samsung and Hwawei then started to adopt so-called "punch hole" cameras which literally leaves only a punch-hole size camera in the front display. Front cameras that exist under the front display, appearing only when in need, is also under development to achieve maximum front display usage. This triggered more criticism considering the notch on the Apple's flagship device.

punch hole camera in Galaxy

Many considered the notch a pain in the ass

But after the controversial iPhone X, iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 was successfully introduced to the world with a notch, but did not rouse significant controversy considering the notch. The conversations about the brand new device were mostly concentrated on other things such as the new-looking rear camera bump or the complete flat screen on iPhone 12.

It seemed like people started to accept the notch as a part of the display. It was not only that the top notch, high caliber iOS features and its design compromised for the notch situation, but people rather did not think of the notch as a big distraction.

As a user of Samsung's galaxy, I frankly admit that it is a bit awkward the first few seconds taking a look at an iPhone. But soon I get used to the notch and the part that gets omitted by it. It is like my brain is constantly processing, filling in the parts that the notch covers with my imagination.

Apple is nevertheless reducing the size of the notch by 25%. The company reportedly succeeded in making the VCSEL chip (used in Face ID) 50% smaller. Although the notch became a trademark of the iPhone, rendering people accepting the black omitted part of the display, users and potential buyers are very excited about the news.

Whether Apple will realize this rumor in its September Apple event is in their hands. Rumor is never a fact or a statement, so we should never predicate it before the releasing keynote.

Will apple adopt a smaller notch in the upcoming iPhone?

to be continued in part 2...