What recent phone design trend(s) do you really dislike?

biron_w

biron_w

biron_w

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There are 2 that I'm not a particular fan of:
1) All glass build. Sure it *LOOKS* nice but it's just not practical. Not only do you have to worry about your screen breaking but you now also have to worry about the back of the phone breaking as well.

2) The hole punch camera. They just look rubbish IMO and - this will be an unpopular opinion - I honestly think the notch looked better.
 
Non-replaceable batteries.

Glass backs

I didn't think I'd like the hole punch but it doesn't bother me now I've experienced it (Note 10+) and much preferable to a notch (Xiaomi A2 Lite).

Android OS/ OneUI updates that remove functionality rather than add it.
 
wesley said:
lack of a proper LED notification
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If you have a recent Samsung try 'Notification Light / LED Note 20, S20 - aodNotify'. It works on a Note 10+ so may work on other Samsung phones. Every month or so I change the position by a few pixels to avoid burn in although there's currently no evidence that that could occur. You can replicate the size and (approx) position of a LED albeit not as bright.
 
The whole idea of a massive plate of glass, ie most smart phones. Ever since these things came out, I have hated them, especially since they moved away from having physical keyboards.
I really cannot wait for foldable phones to become more viable and affordable... My pockets will probably sing heavenly praises that day!
 
Supertall and long screens that inflate the apparent screen size, yet without giving you more/usable viewing space.

Selfie cameras being such a 'big' and 'needed' feature on every phone. About once a year I might take a selfie. The rest of the time I'd prefer if the expense/space taken up by a selfie camera was used for something else in the phone, or spent on the main lenses.
 
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How can you call it a 'mobile' phone if it doesn't fit in your pocket? Bring back the <6" phones ffs!! :mad:
 
Glass backs.
Front glass that goes all the way to the edges.
Curved glass.

All of them just make it easier to break and more expensive to fix. Stop.

Non replaceable batteries... Most phones being too large... Etc.
 
alexakasloth said:
Multiple cameras that are of poor quality/ functionality, would rather have less in quantity but better quality cameras.
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I'm with you on that. I'd rather have 2 REALLY good cameras than 1 good and another 3 mediocre.

wesley said:
curved screen.
lack of a proper LED notification
Click to expand...

Curved screens are definitely a case of form over functionality. And I do miss having an LED.
 
Oh god I had forgotten about the RGB LED going walkabout! That was a really good feature, it annoyed me when I got a phone that didnt have it, but I had since forgotten it was even a thing!
 
Squink said:
Supertall and long screens that inflate the apparent screen size, yet without giving you more/usable viewing space.
Click to expand...

Quite a popular opinion you have but not one I agree with.

Taller phone usually means narrower = easier to hold.

Taller phone = more real estate in portrait mode where the keyboard proportionally takes less space on the screen.

Taller phone gives a wider aspect ratio in landscape mode which is better for video and games. Particularly the current trends for 21:9 video. My iPad is crap for video as it's too square.

As for my gripes. I still think not having a headphone jack as a bit naff.

Also the way very few manufacturers seem to actually give us more demanding users what they want. A great example being the pixel. Give me one with a flagship SOC and 3 good camera lenses with GOOD specs, not an ultrawide which isn't actually ultrawide! And no zoom lens. I had money waiting for such a device but no...

That's why I'm still on a 2017 phone while 2021 is about to roll around.

Also on the Android side a lack of attention to detail.. Example: Why is the navigation bar on gestures still taking up space on the bottom and looking a mess on phones with rounded corners? Even after 2 years FFS!
 
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+1 for curved screens. As mentioned above they are form over function and a vanity project for most manufacturers. How many reviews to you see/read that say "curved screen, brilliant!"? Conversely how many positive comments were made about the 8T and S20 FE to name two for having flat screens (finally) - quite a few.
Manufacturers just decided at some point that everyone must have curved screens (on their flagship handsets) despite no one ever asking for it. Sure there was the novelty factor when Samsung started the trend but that very quickly wore off.
 
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