The Next Version of Android Will Support iPhone X-Like Notches

Shortly after shipping Android Oreo 8.1, Google started working on the next version of its OS: Android P. Bloomberg today reported that the next version of Android is internally known as Pistachio, revealing some new details about the new update.

Android P will reportedly include support for new types of displays, the report claimed. Google is apparently going to be embracing notches like the one on the iPhone X with Android P, adding built-in support for devices that include a notch on the top The change is part of Google’s strategy to attract more iPhone customers to switch to Android, and the search giant is also working on adding built-in support for devices that come with multiple screens and foldable displays.

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Support for foldable displays will be crucial for companies like Samsung, as the company is working on introducing a phone with a foldable display next year. It’s unlikely Samsung will embrace the notch on any of its future Galaxy smartphones as the company mocked the iPhone X’s notch in the past. But the design of Google’s Pixel line of smartphones are unnoticeably similar to the iPhone, so don’t be too surprised if future Pixel phones do come with a notch. Personally, the notch on my iPhone X isn’t a problem at all, although Paul found it to be intruding.

Bloomberg reports that Android P is also supposed to include better Assistant integration, with Google currently experimenting with integrating the technology into third-party apps. Much of what’s coming with Android P is obviously unknown at this point in time, though it’s likely going to be much of a bigger update than last year’s Oreo update. Google will be revealing more about Android P this May at its I/O conference, which kicks off at almost the same time as Microsoft’s Build 2018 conference.

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Conversation 18 comments

  • ibmthink

    12 February, 2018 - 9:19 am

    <p>Often the tech industry seems like a herd of lemmings – Apple does something dumb and everyone follows them.</p>

    • Siv

      12 February, 2018 - 6:06 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#245089"><em>In reply to ibmthink:</em></a></blockquote><p>I was just about to type something very similar to your comment. I find it really strange that the Apple faithful who's mantra has always been that the design is probably more important than the function are now fawning over what can at best be described as an ugly cludge!</p>

  • BeckoningEagle

    Premium Member
    12 February, 2018 - 9:22 am

    <p>why? oh, why?</p>

    • Jaxidian

      12 February, 2018 - 2:17 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#245097"><em>In reply to BeckoningEagle:</em></a></blockquote><p>Because Android manufacturers have already created phones with notches. Android should provide the framework to do it well so everybody doesn't have crappy one-off implementations. Android has had notches longer than Apple, and they've actually been MUCH better implemented (i.e. size/distraction, not necessarily specialized software support, although that's even debatable).</p>

  • Jeff Jones

    12 February, 2018 - 12:21 pm

    <p>I think the biggest objection I have to a notched display is that currently the "shade" works extremely well and I often see icons fill in half way across the width. I like it better than what iOS handles their notifications. A large notch out of the middle of it, like the iPhone X has, will make that functionally worse.</p><p><br></p><p>The exception might be if Android designs the the shade to start stacking notification icons double high. Then you could have your clock and any permanent icons in the upper corners — an area normally wasted on a phone — and other notifications below it.</p><p><br></p>

    • nerocui

      12 February, 2018 - 5:44 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#245188"><em>In reply to DataMeister:</em></a></blockquote><p>that 'd be very ugly</p>

  • randallcorn

    Premium Member
    12 February, 2018 - 12:56 pm

    <p>I don't like a black hole on my display. If someone put a piece of black tap over part of your monitor so you would not see your full video how many people would complain? Oh if it were iPhone users then none. They love everything Apple spoon feeds them. Sorry guys, some of my best friends use iPhones and we argue all the time. But we are still friends.</p>

  • Nicholas Kathrein

    12 February, 2018 - 1:01 pm

    <p>Google is doing what it needs to by providing flexibility for the multitude of manufactures building Android phones which may embrace the notch. This doesn't mean the pixel phones will have one but I'm sure they will have prototypes of with and without. The Android team really needs to add the features if they use it or not on their pixel line as they are a platform used by most the world. </p>

  • ReformedCtrlZ

    Premium Member
    12 February, 2018 - 5:33 pm

    <p>I've heard lots of discussion about this and thought I'd weigh in. I've been using the Essential PH1 for several months now and for the most part never notice the notch. I will say that on the PH1 the notch is relatively small and you barely loose anything since the middle area of the screen in android is almost always empty. I haven't used the iPhone X much but could see where the accentuated area would be irritating.</p><p><br></p><p>For the longest time most apps for the PH1 simply used a black status bar and rendered everything as normal below the notch area. And honestly I still love the look of apps that have this. You may wonder what the point of having a low-bezel screen if it's only going to be blacked out – the answer is the status icons. Having the icons on a black background (to seemlessly flow into the notch). Provides the best of the low-bezel and edgeless screen ideas.</p><p><br></p><p>Hopefully as more OEMs use this layout they keep the notch small and don't pack too much tech in the area. It could get out of hand very quickly.</p>

    • unfalln

      13 February, 2018 - 1:14 am

      <blockquote><a href="#245314"><em>In reply to ReformedCtrlZ:</em></a></blockquote><p>Actually you're right. If the status areas either side of the notch are kept black and strictly for icons, clock, etc, then the notch could make sense. Having apps spill into either side seems unwieldy and the reason I don't like this notch idea. When watching full screen video, does the status bar still do it's thing? Do the notification areas go black, show faded icons or just show a chopped up version of the side of the video?</p>

      • ReformedCtrlZ

        Premium Member
        13 March, 2018 - 5:04 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#245363"><em>In reply to unfalln:</em></a></blockquote><p>Full screen video and games/landscape apps are cropped at the status bar so no notch that way</p>

  • Rycott

    Premium Member
    12 February, 2018 - 5:55 pm

    <p>I'm not sure I understand why having a notch would attract iPhone customers?</p><p><br></p><p>At best I've heard people say they don't notice it. Not that it was the best thing ever on a phone.</p><p><br></p><p>If there are people who love the notch I guarantee they aren't switching to Android because they have been drinking way to much Apple kool-aid.</p>

    • SvenJ

      12 February, 2018 - 8:46 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#245319"><em>In reply to Rycott:</em></a> Hey, the notch is brilliant. I don't know how I lived this long without one. Someday my Grandkids will sit at my feet and ask, "tell us again what it was like without a notch Gramps."</blockquote><p><br></p>

      • Rycott

        Premium Member
        12 February, 2018 - 9:44 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#245337"><em>In reply to SvenJ:</em></a></blockquote><p>The sarcasm is strong with this one.</p>

  • glenn8878

    12 February, 2018 - 8:38 pm

    <p>Huh? So Apple’s bad decision on the notch is now embraced? Even when they lose, they win. </p>

    • rameshthanikodi

      12 February, 2018 - 9:39 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#245336"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p>agreed with the premise of what you said. But it's worth noting that Android OEMs want to build notches of their own too, and it's better to have some kind of support for it than to ignore it in favor of OEM customizations</p>

    • Steve78

      13 February, 2018 - 8:05 am

      <blockquote><a href="#245336"><em>In reply to glenn8878:</em></a></blockquote><p>Bad decision according to who? I like the design. </p>

  • curtisspendlove

    23 February, 2018 - 3:36 pm

    <p>Heh</p>

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