Leaked image suggests this year’s iPhone will shrink the notch

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This concept image shows how the iPhone 13 notch might shrink.
The notch was introduced in 2017 with the iPhone X.
Artists concept: Cult of Mac

This year’s iPhone notch looks set to get a bit smaller, with the latest evidence for this being an image posted to Twitter by user DuanRui, who frequently posts material shared on Chinese social media.

While not guaranteed to be genuine, the image does depict an iPhone display with slimmer — in width, not height — notch. Apple introduced the distinctive iPhone notch in 2017 with the iPhone X’s edge-to-edge display. It contains the Face ID sensing tech, front camera, and speaker.

9to5Mac suggests that the new notch is approximately 30% smaller than its predecessor. This means slightly more screen size for users. Although it’s unlikely to make a massive difference for day-to-day iPhone usage, it does indicate that Apple is trying to trim down the notch as much as is technically feasible.

This is just the latest corroborating report suggesting the 2021 iPhone will feature a smaller notch. Previous bits of “evidence” include leaked images and a 3D-printed mockup based on specs. While we won’t know for certain until September, it seems increasingly likely that these reports are accurate. All suggest that the reduced size will be achieved by moving the iPhone up into the display bezel.

Apple may phase out iPhone notch eventually

A Wednesday report from reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests that Apple may be looking to ditch the notch altogether by 2023. One way it will do this is by embedding the Face ID tech in the display itself.

Other rumors so far for the 2021 iPhone suggest that it could boast 1TB of storage as an option, offer smoother, 120 Hz screens, and feature a Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the screen. This is in addition to the expected performance boosts courtesy of this year’s A-series chip.

Does the notch make a difference to your enjoyment of the iPhone? Would a smaller notch help sway you to upgrade this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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