Home
News
You are here

An iPhone X-style notch and gestures on Android? Some shrug, but more gasp (poll results)

23comments

By Daniel Petrov

Published: Apr 23, 2018, 4:55 AM

Add as a preferred source on Google

An iPhone X-style notch and gestures on Android? Some shrug, but more gasp (poll results)

Android P folds the iPhone X notch and gestures, do you like where Google is heading?

As long as the features make sense, who cares

47.28%

I don't like it, Google and Android makers should keep it original

52.72%

With the P20 family of Huawei, we have the first major Android handsets that have reworked the interface to fit a notch in, and even add an iPhone X-esque home indicator in the nav bar settings. Huawei is not even the major offender here, as plenty of Android makers before it announced phones with notches, and Google itself lended support for it in the next version.

This is why we asked you last week whether you approve of this follow-the-trend mentality that Google seems to be introducing with Android P. Well, it turned out that a full 47% of our respondents don't really care, as long as the notch and gestures help screen-to-body ratio and navigation. A bit more numerous is the tribe that thinks Android makers, and Google itself, should be more original when it comes to setting trends no, rather than following them.

Google recently cut out an image from its developers blog, as it was showing the overhauled navigation paradigm of the upcoming Android P update before it had become official. The shots depicted a new navigation strip that had only two virtual buttons - an elliptical home bar, and a back key - with recent app duties allegedly taken over by a swipe-up gesture.

These iPhone X-style gestures may actually find their way into Android 9.0 Popsicle, or whatever it's called, that should be announced next month at Google I/O, which will be held May 8-10 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre at San Francisco, California. That navigation and gestures aren't a true iPhone X ripoff, though, for the simple reason that iOS doesn't have a universal back key (duh).

Still, if the home key becomes a mere gesture indicator like it was depicted by Google, while swiping up and holding would bring recent apps, the copycat journey would be complete. Adding insult to injury, Android P is already introducing official screen cutout support, aka the notch, as you can see from Google's official developer blog imaging on the right.

$349

$799

$450 off (56%)

Mint Mobile now sells the Google Pixel 10 with a massive $450 discount. The promo is available on select color variants with 128GB of storage. You also get a 12-month unlimited data plan for $180 instead of $360.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$524

$999

$475 off (48%)

Grab the pro-grade, compact Pixel 10 Pro at Mint Mobile with a 12-month unlimited plan, and you can save a huge $475. The data plan comes with a discount, too: 50% off, to be exact.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$499

$1199

$700 off (58%)

The high-end Gemini AI-enhanced Pixel 10 Pro XL is now available with a mind-blowing discount. You can now save $700 on the phone, plus 50% off unlimited 12-month plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

$1399

$1799

$400 off (22%)

The foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold is another standout holiday offer. Right now, you can get the device for $400 off at Mint Mobile. On top of that, you save $180 on 12-month unlimited data plans.

Buy at Mint Mobile

View Full Bio

Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.