Since it was introduced in the iPhone X back in 2017, the ‘notch’ has been one of the most-hated features in Apple’s smartphones.
The unsightly black bar houses the front-facing cameras, but eats away into the display, and is particularly obstructive while watching films or playing games.
Now, a new leak suggests that Apple could finally be ditching the notch in favour of two cut-outs at the top of the screen.
While Apple is yet to confirm or deny the news, a leaked schematic posted to Chinese social media site Weibo shows what the new feature could look like.
Now, a new report suggests that Apple could finally be ditching the notch in favour of two cut-outs at the top of the screen
The schematic was spotted by 9to5Mac, and appears to show two cut-outs that will replace the notch.
The left cut-out is pill-shaped, while the right is circular – arguably marginally better than the current continuous black bar.
‘It looks as if Apple is essentially taking the components of the notch and applying them directly in the display, eliminating any waste areas that don’t include the cameras or sensors,’ Apple Track said.
Other smartphone makers including Samsung have got around the notch issue but opting for a hole-punch design, while Huawei uses a pill-cut out for its front-facing cameras.
However, this is the first time that we’ve seen the two shapes combined.
Jon Prosser, a respected Apple leaker, pointed out that the new design may actually be more obstructive than the current notch.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel, he said: ‘On this schematic, you can see that it’s actually bigger than everyone thought.
‘This is oddly big. I have independently been able to verify that this is likely the size of this notch cut-out thing for iPhone 14.’
MailOnline has contacted Apple for comment.
The sensor-housing notch was first introduced to the iPhone with 2017’s iPhone X – but was mercilessly lambasted by critics and fans alike as a terrible design flaw.
Aside from taking up precious screen space, the notch was too reminiscent of a receding hairline for many balding men.
Apple’s phone-making rival Samsung even mocked the notch in an ad for its Galaxy Note 8 smartphone at the time, featuring a man with a notch-shaped haircut.
The sensor-housing notch was first introduced to the iPhone with 2017’s iPhone X – but was mercilessly lambasted by critics and fans alike as a terrible design flaw
Apple has persisted with the notch on subsequent iPhone models since, but it’s likely that the camera technology currently housed inside is now advanced enough to fit within a smaller space – making the notch expendable.
Apple is expected to lauch the iPhone 14 at its annual event in September, although the tech giant has remained tight-lipped about the date or details for this year’s event.
However, we may see a new iPhone launch before then, with rumours of a spring event where Apple could unveil the iPhone SE 3.
It is understood the model, which was last updated two years ago when the tech giant released a long-awaited follow-up to its original SE, will have a faster processor and an improved camera.
But it is unlikely to feature a radical new design, meaning the classic iPhone ‘Home’ button will not be phased out completely.
The current iPhone SE uses a Home button similar to that of 2017’s iPhone 8.
THE TRILLION DOLLAR RISE OF APPLE
The company’s journey to the summit of the technology industry has been a rocky one, having seen Jobs (pictured right in 1976) leave the firm in the mid-1980s after his pet project, the first Macintosh computer, struggled and he attempted to oust then chief executive John Sculley. Wozniak is pictured left
1976: Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne created the company on April 1 1976 as they set about selling computer kits to hobbyists, each of which was built by Wozniak.
The first product was the Apple I.
1977: Apple released the Apple II in June, which was the first PC made for the mass market.
1981: Jobs became chairman.
1984: The Macintosh was introduced during an ad break for the Super Bowl and later officially unveiled during a launch event. It was discontinued a year later and Jobs left the firm.
1987: Apple released the Macintosh II, the first colour Mac.
1997: Apple announces it will acquire NeXT software in a $400 million deal that involves Jobs returning to Apple as interim CEO. He officially took the role in 2000.
2001: Apple introduced iTunes, OS X and the first-generation iPod.
The first iPod MP3 music player was released on October 23, 2001, at an event in Cupertino and was able to hold up to 1,000 songs.
Steve Jobs unveils Apple Computer Corporation’s new Macintosh February 6, 1984 in California.
The then Chief Executive Officer of Apple, Steve Jobs, with the iPhone
2007: Apple unveils the iPhone.
2010: The first iPad was unveiled.
2011: Jobs resigned in 2011 due to illness, handing the CEO title to Tim Cook. Job died in October from pancreatic cancer.
2014: Apple unveiled the Apple Watch. It also unveiled its first larger iPhones – the 6 and 6 Plus.
2015: After purchasing Beats from Dr Dre, Apple launched Apple Music to compete with Spotify and other music streaming services.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs speaks at an Apple event at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, Calif.
2016: Apple returned to its roots and announced the 4-inch iPhone SE. Meanwhile, the firm is embroiled in a legal battle with the FBI, involving the agency demanding access to the locked phone used by Syed Farook, who died in a shootout after carrying out a deadly December attack in San Bernardino, California with his wife. The court order was dropped on March 28 after the FBI said a third party was able to unlock the device.
2017: Apple introduces the iPhone X, which removes the home button to make way for a futuristic edge-to-edge screen design and a new FaceID system that uses advanced sensors and lasers to unlock phones with just the owner’s face.
2018: In a first for the company, Apple introduces new features in its latest operating system, iOS 12, that encourage users to manage and spend less time on their devices. The move was spawned by a strongly worded letter from shareholders that urged the firm to address the growing problem of smartphone addiction among kids and teenagers.
2019: In January, Apple reports its first decline in revenues and profits in a decade. CEO Tim Cook partly blamed steep declines in revenue from China.
2020: In March, Apple closes all its bricks and mortar retail stores outside of China in response to coronavirus.
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