Dynamic Island vs Notch: The iPhone needs to let go of one and the answer is clear

Dynamic Island or Notch? With this year’s iPhone 14 series, one of the key factors choosing between a standard and Pro models is how the front camera is tucked in. In a world where Android manufacturers have started hiding the front camera under the display, Apple resorts to older ways of letting users put up with the camera and sensors. The notch has been around since 2017 and in 2022, it exists in a shorter form factor on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models.

But then there’s the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro models – a new and clever solution to liberate some screen space for aesthetical gains. The Dynamic Island is essentially a masked up dual cutout for the front camera and the Face ID sensors. It has got some excited while others are questioning its logic, upholding the old notch as a better option. Some even want Apple to clear out the blot from the iPhone’s display altogether.

Hence, if the Dynamic Island vs Notch is a deciding factor in buying your next iPhone, we are here to help.

Dynamic Island vs Notch:

Case for the Notch

- It takes up less space on the iPhone’s display, which means less intrusion while watching videos or playing games.

- It is familiar. The notch has been an iPhone signature feature since 2017, makes it easy to identify.

- That said, there is no functional benefit to the notch and it makes the phone look dated.

Case for Dynamic Island

- It looks better. A sliver of space between the cutouts and the bezel makes the screen look bigger.

- Dynamic Island is an active and useful element. It expands and changes shape for accommodating Face ID unlock animations, lock and charging status, and a lot more. When unlocked, it shows an active task, such as a music player widget, or a quick access to voice recorder controls. It helps with quick multitasking with Apple’s apps.

- It is a useful element, which means third party apps can utilise it for some of their functions. That makes almost all of the display area on the iPhone productive.

- It is fun to look at. The Dynamic Island behaves like a living orb, sitting quietly atop all apps while enhancing the productivity and masking those big cutouts well.

- On the negative side, it takes up more space in the viewfinder, or while watching videos.

What do we prefer?

I prefer the Dynamic Island over the notch for its sole ability to make something as dead as a notch useful. It certainly makes using the iPhone a bit easier, and most importantly, fun.