Sunday debate: Buttons vs Gestures

20 May 2018
As Android P introduces new iPhone X like gestures, in this weeks Sunday Debate we deliberate which are better - hardware buttons or gestures?

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  • C
  • Carol
  • L7b
  • 21 May 2018

Me, 20 May 2018Not iPhone blackberry was first 5 years agoActually that would be nokia n9 with meego, 7 years ago.

    • m
    • mNiosu
    • ajf
    • 21 May 2018

    Jamesschwarz987, 20 May 2018Well, why not both? (optional)Also the OnePlus way: you have 3 options: gestures, screen buttons and screen buttons with auto-hide function.

      • m
      • mNiosu
      • ajf
      • 21 May 2018

      The OnePlus version since Oreo Beta on 5T is the best. Easy and intuitive and saves screen space. I used to be addicted to capacitive buttons in my Samsung days but since I switched to gestures on my 5T it seems impossible for me to go back to buttons (especially screen buttons).
      Google's implementation on Android P is stupid: why still use screen space for a bar at the bottom if you are using gestures?!

        • y
        • yeeeha
        • PMT
        • 21 May 2018

        Me, 20 May 2018Not iPhone blackberry was first 5 years agoI agree, had BB-Z10 no button, all swipe.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • IV8
          • 21 May 2018

          Why no mention of the NOKIA N9?? NOKIA N9 with Meego Harmattan perfected Gesture control on the phone 7 YEARS AGO! Seriously.. Those who never knew/experienced N9 please go search for some N9 videos and stare in awe and jaw drop at
          1. Such effortless, sublime and graceful gestures have been invented 7 years ago
          2. Nobody succeeded in replicating the ease of N9 gestures after 7 years

            Been using gesture swipes on Android for five years. It's called Nova Launcher Prime.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • 7XY
              • 21 May 2018

              Me, 20 May 2018Not iPhone blackberry was first 5 years agonobody cared because nobody implemented it on their units, but when apple releases something they put it on their units. 5 years and nobody pickup on it, iphone x less than a year and everybody is on it....

                The button is more clear to use, the gesture is more advance but need to remember the each action for each purpose. Some gesture is find but don't get too much gesture to ruin the user experience, the button is still clearly can see the action when press on it.

                  If only Android P will be improved on the future updates. I like it! It's useful for bigger displays because you don't need to reach up for notification bar and reach below for back/home/recent apps. :)
                  It is the future of UI.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-751601
                    • FdZ
                    • 21 May 2018

                    If you use iphone x or recent redmi note 5 , you will see how useful it is meant to be..i use it since first day. For exmple , you want to go back and you press back button...while you are pressing , 70% chance you can drop it..

                      Shanti Dope, 20 May 2018You can go with a Xperia instead. You don't have to suffer ... more Hmm.

                        • H
                        • H-1
                        • Lem
                        • 20 May 2018

                        I've had gestures on my android for the past 3 years, started with simple ones to turn off the screen and now extended to even turn up the volume (plus replacing the navigation buttons) and that's jelly 4.3 I'm talking about. Look up Xposed Edge if you like :)

                        I don't have anything against buttons and navbar, but if I can modify gestures to my needs why not? I still use hardware buttons from time to time, but when I have 6+ edge gestures that code most of my usage, I find it counter productive (and somewhat annoying) to reach for the navigation or hardware buttons.

                          • M
                          • Me
                          • pU%
                          • 20 May 2018

                          Not iPhone blackberry was first 5 years ago

                            • T
                            • Tom
                            • 8xG
                            • 20 May 2018

                            After all the trials, it looks like al least we will see a real tactile experience on smartphones.

                              Gestures will obviously be the future hands down, especially when there will be no hardware buttons on phones. However Apple did it the right way, well almost, still that pill shouldn't even be visible. Been using GMD Gesture since Moto X days and never looked back. The Android P DP2 gestures are a total mess though.

                                • K
                                • Kasut
                                • fFA
                                • 20 May 2018

                                I miss a bbos gestures. It's perfect

                                  Anonymous, 20 May 2018That seems messy af.. And with making bezels small, gesture... moreAndroid P navigation is already a mess

                                    LG Superfan, 20 May 2018HW keys dont block screen content at all and imo OS should ... moreWith trend to have most ''bezelless'' screen, hw buttons are surely in the way, you could have them elsewhere, but there isn't limit to how could you do better using screen, like you could swipe through multiple windows at once to the one you want using back gesture instead of tap - example.
                                    Apple started trend with one button style now its going further, may be as different as going from keyboard to kinect but people will get used to it fast, if implemented right.
                                    Though camera, ai, volume, power, fp buttons are still on the side or back, it may not be long for even those to have alternative control sensors/gestures in the screen, bended or not. Its not about will it be or is it better, point is its scalable for any type of device and makes it easier to create different devices, make it more sturdy, less moving components mean also longer life of device, not to forget it got futuristic cool feeling - what is Alone enough to ditch even superior tech like jack with lossy bluetooth.
                                    Though hw keyboard and controls are still used on desktops and with gamers, its just because nobody made sensors with feedback for touch, it may be just because most R&D is in phone tech, also using devices with limited amount of surface/space makes having additional controllers in the way. Phone device is already at limit, going to foldable tech, iglasses,... you won't use hw buttons then anyway if every micrometer of hw will matter...

                                      • J
                                      • Jos
                                      • 63V
                                      • 20 May 2018

                                      SWIPE gestures for basic navigation like opening & closing apps,, multi tasking (LIKE NOKIA N9 of 2012!) are okay and should be standard for all mobiles. Swipe gestures for going through other options or actions in an app should also be the standard (MICROSOFT APPS)... Android should adopt and make it standard navigation...NO NEED FOR BUTTONS!!!

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-730705
                                        • rK7
                                        • 20 May 2018

                                        Me personally would like to have the option of both with gestures like that of Nokia where you just have to swipe instead of puts a the place where the buttons on the stock Android are. You don't have to hold or do more than 1 swipe for an action.

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