18:9 Aspect Ratio in new flagship phones

Rimsy · 25 Apr 2017 at 16:59

Did anyone actually ask for this? Personally I just don't get this move at all and its something I really hope doesn't become the norm.

Perhaps I'm missing something here but as far as I can see the only possible benefit is watching movies which on my phone I personally never ever do as its... well a phone with a tiny screen!
The drawbacks aside from apps not scaling properly result in phones that look weirdly long and narrow and also makes browsing web sites worse for obvious reasons.

Genuinely hoping the pixel 2 does NOT adopt this aspect ratio but don't hold out much hope!

Orcvader · 25 Apr 2017 at 17:33

It's the same reason for ultra wide monitors, so there's plenty of space when multitasking apps side by side. But personally I would've prefered something like 16:10 since I use the multi windows mostly in portrait mode. Actually, I use my phone primarily in portait... the extra long resolution would just make single hand use harder

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Christmas themed thank · 25 Apr 2017 at 19:09

I'm not sure I like it because I watch a lot of videos and they have black bars when viewed on these screens.

kona786 · 25 Apr 2017 at 20:05

I personally would like a bit more width than extra height. And 18:9 just makes a mess of watching the plethora of 16:9 content available. I also do not like the long phone look.

stoosh · 25 Apr 2017 at 20:44

Add me to the line not liking the new aspect ratio but I also dislike curved displays. I simply don't like the way the light reflects off the top and bottom off the curved screen hence why the S8 series isn't even on my radar.

I'm worried that the forthcoming flagships from OP and Google will adopt curved screen tech which will be a shame so my hopes are pinned on the forthcoming Sony and Nokia flagships.

kona786 · 25 Apr 2017 at 20:57

Agreed stoosh. Curved screens look sexy but give the phone even more of a long phone look, makes it harder to grip and yeah those reflections are mega annoying. Flat for me, no doubts.

stoosh · 25 Apr 2017 at 21:15

Well said kona you brought up relevant points that I forgot about.

wez130 · 25 Apr 2017 at 21:36

I've had no problem storing my S8+ in any of my pockets.

Kenai · 25 Apr 2017 at 22:29

I quite like it really, I wouldn't specifically seek it out but if otherwise identical I prefer the additional screen rather than bezel.

Watching videos 16:9 is fine, sure you get black bars but then you would have just had black bezel before, which couldn't then display stuff in other usage.

Hopefully soon they'll figure out a way to get all the sensors that currently sit in the top bezels behind the screen and then the whole thing can be nothing but screen.

rG-tom · 25 Apr 2017 at 23:27

I use my phone in portrait 95% of the time so find the extra height quite useful tbh, split screen multitasking is far more usable and also being able to read more of what I'm typing when making posts like this is really quite handy too.

Didn't think I'd like the ratio either but after nearly a week it's actually a benefit not a hindrance

kona786 · 26 Apr 2017 at 09:27

Kenai said:
Watching videos 16:9 is fine, sure you get black bars but then you would have just had black bezel before, which couldn't then display stuff in other usage.

Make the phone 16:9 with small bezels...Nexus 6 did this years ago. And they even fitted good front facing stereo speakers in the little space that was left.

mrk · 26 Apr 2017 at 12:03

Everyone knows that 21:9 is the master race aspect ratio. Soon, phones will also ascend to such heights :cool:

thecremeegg · 26 Apr 2017 at 12:35

I like it actually having had my S8 plus for the last week. Lots of apps support it and videos look great if you use the expand to fit screen feature. Sure you lose a tiny bit off the video but having tested, it's barely anything.

kona786 · 26 Apr 2017 at 13:24

mrk said:
Everyone knows that 21:9 is the master race aspect ratio. Soon, phones will also ascend to such heights

It was done by LG in 2009. It went down in flames.

thecremeegg said:
I like it actually having had my S8 plus for the last week. Lots of apps support it and videos look great if you use the expand to fit screen feature. Sure you lose a tiny bit off the video but having tested, it's barely anything.

You don't lose much in terms or area but you do mess up the framing - which is quite important to some.

Glaucus · 26 Apr 2017 at 13:27

it makes sense with on screen keys, but give me hardware keys anyday.

kona786 · 26 Apr 2017 at 13:29

Glaucus said:
it makes sense with on screen keys, but give me hardware keys anyday.

I see where your coming from but I've never had any issue with on screen keys on 16:9. They get out of the way when you need them to.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter what some of us like or don't like, manufacturers are going to do whatever the **** they want to do.

mrk · 26 Apr 2017 at 15:28

In 2009 the OS and hardware capabilities for features we use like a piece of pie today simply were not doable. Just like Asus' attempt at DEX/Continuum on an ancient version of Android which flopped due to bugs and lack of OS refinement.

I envision the future of smartphones to be long and flexible displays. Emphasis on display because that's what the entire front will be pretty soon. We are already approaching some 95% display on some handsets and we know Samsung and LG both have bendy OLED panel concepts in testing.

PhoenixUK · 26 Apr 2017 at 15:34

kona786 said:
I see where your coming from but I've never had any issue with on screen keys on 16:9. They get out of the way when you need them to.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter what some of us like or don't like, manufacturers are going to do whatever the **** they want to do.

Clearly there are more likes than dislikes - I'm fairly certain that if people didn't buy the handset because of this and samsung sold 100 000 units instead of few millions then they would definitely revise the design for next model. So far more poeple like s8 than they did any other samsung phone (or any android phone) in the past so yes, 15 of you complainig about it on ocuk forums isn't going to make them change it when there are 1 000 people liking it for each one that doesn't.

Plenty of other handsets to pick from.

kona786 · 26 Apr 2017 at 16:17

PhoenixUK said:
Clearly there are more likes than dislikes - I'm fairly certain that if people didn't buy the handset because of this and samsung sold 100 000 units instead of few millions then they would definitely revise the design for next model. So far more poeple like s8 than they did any other samsung phone (or any android phone) in the past so yes, 15 of you complainig about it on ocuk forums isn't going to make them change it when there are 1 000 people liking it for each one that doesn't.

Plenty of other handsets to pick from.

Most that buy the S8 don't really care if it had a long screen or not - doesn't mean they wanted it.

Don't worry I'm not bashing the S8, on the whole it's quite the masterpiece. It's just not what I'm after at this point in time.

kona786 · 26 Apr 2017 at 16:20

mrk said:
In 2009 the OS and hardware capabilities for features we use like a piece of pie today simply were not doable. Just like Asus' attempt at DEX/Continuum on an ancient version of Android which flopped due to bugs and lack of OS refinement.

I envision the future of smartphones to be long and flexible displays. Emphasis on display because that's what the entire front will be pretty soon. We are already approaching some 95% display on some handsets and we know Samsung and LG both have bendy OLED panel concepts in testing.

Of Course bendable displays are the future - 21:9 though...not so sure.

18:9 Aspect Ratio in new flagship phones

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