Vratislav Holub Over the last few years, the field of smartphones has been dealing with one and the same topic – cut-out or punch-through. While you won't find a cutout on competing Androids (the newer ones), because the manufacturers simply rely on a smaller and more aesthetically pleasing hole, it's just the opposite with Apple phones. In the case of iPhones, the cut-out or notch serves not only to store the front camera, but also the sensor system for Face ID technology, which is able to perform 3D scanning of faces and, based on the results, recognize whether it is the owner of the given device.
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Flying around the world with Apple Why iPhones don't keep up with other phones
We already mentioned in the very introduction that Apple phones are relatively behind when it comes to cut-outs or cutouts. As already mentioned, the main reason is primarily the Face ID system, which is directly hidden in the front TrueDepth camera and has too many tasks. Apple introduced the Face ID biometric authentication method in 2017 with the arrival of the revolutionary iPhone X. It brought the display almost from edge to edge, got rid of the typical home button and switched to gesture control. Since then, however, there have not been many changes in the cutout area. Although the Apple company has faced a lot of criticism for this deficiency for years, it still hasn't decided to completely remove it. A slight change came just last year with the arrival of the iPhone 13, when there was a slight (to the point of being overlooked) reduction.
On the other hand, here we have competing phones with the Android operating system, which for a change rely on the mentioned penetration. For them, the situation is a bit simpler, as their primary security does not lie in 3D facial scanning, which is mostly replaced by a fingerprint reader. It can be placed either under the display or in one of the buttons. This is precisely why the opening is significantly smaller - it only hides the camera lens and the infrared and proximity sensor, as well as the necessary flash. It can eventually be replaced with a function for quickly maximizing the screen brightness.
iPhone along with a bullet hole
However, since Apple is often the target of criticism, precisely for the above-mentioned loophole, it is not surprising that in the world of Apple users there are various reports, speculations and leaks about the imminent implementation of the loophole. According to several sources, we should also expect it relatively soon. This change is most often associated with the iPhone 14 Pro, i.e. this year's model, in which Apple should apparently finally remove the criticized notch and switch to a more popular variant. But a tricky question arises. So what is the future of Face ID technology?
Render of the iPhone 14 Pro Max
Mobile phone manufacturers have been experimenting in this direction for a long time. Of course, the best solution would be if the smartphone had an undisturbed display and any lens and other sensors would be hidden under the display, just as it is today in the case of fingerprint readers. Unfortunately, the technology is not ready for this yet. There have been attempts, but the quality of the front camera hidden under the display is not enough for today's standards. But that might not be the story of the sensors for the Face ID system. Some reports say that Apple will switch to a classic hole-punch, which will hide only the camera lens, while the necessary sensors will become "invisible" and therefore hide under the screen. Of course, another option is to completely remove Face ID and replace it with an older Touch ID, which could be hidden, for example, in the power button (as with the iPad Air 4).
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Of course, Apple does not publish any detailed information before the release of new products, which is why we are currently only dependent on the statements of leakers and analysts. At the same time, it outlines the possible shape of this year's flagship of the company, which could bring the desired change years later. How do you view this topic? Would you like to exchange the cutout for a shot?
