iPhone 14 is kissing the notch goodbye next year! But…

iPhone 14 Pro models are expected to go for the punch-hole cutout design next year, bidding the notch goodbye.

iPhone 14 Pro models will get rid of the notch with hole cutout design. (Representative Image) (Amritanshu Mukherjee / HT Tech)

iPhone 14 could finally get rid of the controversial notch! Based on the latest rumours, it seems that Apple has settled with the idea of a notch-less iPhone starting next year. As with all “new” Apple features, it is the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max that will get rid of the notch. In its place, don't expect Apple to go for the under-display camera tech that Samsung used on the Galaxy Z Fold 3.

Instead, Apple is going for the punch-hole cutout design that we have seen on Android phones for an eternity now. The report from The Elec suggests that Apple has settled for the HIAA (Hole in Active Area) display tech for the iPhone 14 Pro models.

No more notch for iPhone 14 Pro

However, this punch-hole cutout design is limited to the Pro models only. The iPhone 14 basic models, which are said to have variants with 6-inch display and 6.7-inch Max model, will still hold the notch. There's no information on how the hole cutouts will accommodate the multiple sensors Apple uses for Face ID.

There's even mention of LG planning to manufacture a similar display for the iPhone but it won't be ready in time for the iPhone 14's launch. The Samsung made display will be an LTPO panel, which means the variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz will return on the Pro models. Rumours also suggest the 120Hz ProMotion coming to the regular iPhone 14 models next year.

What remains to be seen is how the new tech in implemented. On Android phones, the hole-punch cutout is usually a small hole housing a single front camera. Some manufacturers have used a pill-shaped cutout for holding IR face scanners and multiple front cameras. Given that the iPhone's notch notch hold four sensors, will Apple settle for the pill-shaped cutout?