Weekly poll: are secondary screens useful?

30 July 2017
The Meizu Pro 7 has an AMOLED screen on the back that lets you take selfies. Clever or over-engineered?

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  • D
  • AnonD-146024
  • Rx5
  • 30 Jul 2017

Samsung's always ON implementation on the Super Amoleds is the best. It eliminates the purpose of secondary screen. It's a shame that GSMA hasn't given an option to vote for it.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • vx6
    • 30 Jul 2017

    It would be more practical if they just extend the battery of every smartphone instead of this gimmicks. At least 3 days worth of battery juice for one charge, but that would be too much based on the current technology.

      • D
      • AnonD-614957
      • vGV
      • 30 Jul 2017

      I love the Meizu's design it looks great unlike any phone.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • gyc
        • 30 Jul 2017

        I wait dual battery.

          • a
          • applenokia
          • IWU
          • 30 Jul 2017

          I like Secondary Screen on Back Only for Portrait Mode Selfies... Other than that I don't Care abt It by anytime.. But even though I like it for Selfie Purpose The Meizu's design is Crap..

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • uuL
            • 30 Jul 2017

            Useful if it was introduced by apple

              • S
              • Simon
              • 0xL
              • 30 Jul 2017

              While maybe there are some yet unforeseen uses, all implementations so far were just impractical and frankly completely useless.

              By far the worst one is when you have a single, "fragmented" display with essentially unusable "pieces" that are not display. Instead of a secondary display it's more like having a main display with unusable elements. It's really uncomfortable, and looks really bad. The Essential phone is the biggest violator.

                • ?
                • Anonymous
                • HxY
                • 30 Jul 2017

                AnonD-526821, 30 Jul 2017Its anyones personal preference. But one should appreciate ... moreWhich they don't. they like to label anything new as gimmick just because they don't want it or can't afford

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • bJb
                  • 30 Jul 2017

                  One screen is the best. I don't need 1000 options for me to do one simple task, or any kind of tasks. Just stick to one and the best option, eventually you will be faster in doing anything.

                  Unless the back screen like Meizu 7 Pro is used to remove the front camera in order to go full bezelless screen if there's no other way. I heard people have found ways to hide the front camera behind the screen, but I am not sure if this is true.

                    • D
                    • Dave Granger
                    • nxy
                    • 30 Jul 2017

                    I miss the clamshell phones with a screen on the front and the front and another inside.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-39937
                      • gCq
                      • 30 Jul 2017

                      Dual screen, dual camera? We need dual battery life with dual quality pics...

                        • Z
                        • Zero
                        • L8B
                        • 30 Jul 2017

                        Only one is enough... except if is iPhone which is impractical.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • gAr
                          • 30 Jul 2017

                          Curved screens was gimmick. Secondary screen is another gimmick. Just make normal phones for normal people.

                            Only is it looks good unlike meizu's shitty design

                              • M
                              • Martin
                              • gyc
                              • 30 Jul 2017

                              Best Dual screen in phone is YotaPhone, 2nd is LG.

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • m5N
                                • 30 Jul 2017

                                When someone finds a real purpose for a second screen or even a curved screen id understand but it seems there just gimicks at the moment just draining more juice with no real point or benefit. Makes you laugh how people have been begging manufacturers to make phones with 2 speakers but instead make 2 screens ?

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • IWQ
                                  • 30 Jul 2017

                                  AnonD-526821, 30 Jul 2017Its anyones personal preference. But one should appreciate ... moreExactly. Buying or not is not the issue

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-526821
                                    • gM$
                                    • 30 Jul 2017

                                    Its anyones personal preference. But one should appreciate for something new and innovative.

                                      • A
                                      • AlienNextDoor
                                      • JK1
                                      • 30 Jul 2017

                                      Useless gummicks, nothing more.

                                      One screen is enough, especially considering that screens suck up batteries the most.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-632062
                                        • Hxc
                                        • 30 Jul 2017

                                        It all depends upon your preference.

                                        A small screen on the back would be lovely for rear-camera selfies. But if the front camera is almost as good as the back, then the V20 kind of setup makes more sense (plus it can aid in multitasking). Besides I doubt the rear camera will have the same wide FoV as the front one, without compromising quality.

                                        Alternatively, like Peter mentions, we could have a swivelling camera like the Oppo N1 or even like the Nokia N90 or the Nokia 5700.
                                        http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_n1-5724.php
                                        http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_n90-1155.php
                                        http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5700-1936.php

                                        But these setups are usually clunky and I don't think they would mesh well with today's push towards thinner and bezel-less phones.