Weekly poll: are hole-less phones the future or just a gimmick?

27 January 2019
There were two hole-less phones announced in as many days. Though the number of real-world issues solved by them seems lower than that.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • Njr
  • 27 Jan 2019

I think that holeless is the future but I hate it
What think can vivo apex and meizu zero do and other flagships can't ? Nothing and nothing other phones already have wireless charging earpuds and e sim but with other options

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • uEy
    • 27 Jan 2019

    Anonymous, 27 Jan 2019A gimmick for PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE (No 3.5mm jack, microsd ... moreNot many people install custom rom or root their phone anymore.

    I'm needing sd card slot for backup.. i'm not buying phonw without one.
    And i don't mind holes in my phone, as long as it's not on the front screen

      Pabliell, 27 Jan 2019I voted for the future, but let me clarify something first.... moreBut of course, wired things always far superior, anyday.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • PGq
        • 27 Jan 2019

        A gimmick for PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE (No 3.5mm jack, microsd slot etc)!! How do we install custom ROMs in the future without usb type-c?? It is just good as telling tech people modding your phone is bad for you!! They could might as well lock the bootloader & remove the option for unlock bootloader in developer settings!!

          The only different with notches (especially the waternotch one) is just their position.

          Future? They're already here by now, though. It's not future anymore.

            Whackcar, 27 Jan 2019This poll wouldn't exist if Apple was the one who had launc... moreWell said. And I'm sure even Apple is headed in that direction, although far too slowly. All wireless is definitely the future. Perhaps vivo's solution is more elegant in that regard; there's still some wired connections without any open slots on the phone itself.

              Pabliell, 27 Jan 2019I voted for the future, but let me clarify something first.... morei think Samsung did phones that charge via solar power .
              But i also found this article, it may be from 2016 but it's clear:

              https://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/why-our-phones-still-aren-t-powered-by-the-sun-1329646

                Of the people that voted the future, they may not necessarily want it to be. I, however am for it. It can allow budget phones to be waterproofed (easier anyway), on ONE condition; they include a fast wireless charger and Bluetooth earphones.

                  • F
                  • Fayth
                  • EtE
                  • 27 Jan 2019

                  it's the future of course

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • p2y
                    • 27 Jan 2019

                    They don't even look anything special to justify all the shortcomings. Surely wireless will take over eventually but there is still a long way for everything to be more convenient and cheap.

                      • g
                      • gauron
                      • Ej9
                      • 27 Jan 2019

                      Case in Point....R2D2

                        • F
                        • Feline
                        • pr4
                        • 27 Jan 2019

                        everything about front camera is gimmick

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • 0BG
                          • 27 Jan 2019

                          vrvly, 27 Jan 2019Trend or not, reality is that less moving parts means there... moreExcept battery still lasts as little, and it will be even harder (Or impossible?) with a phone like this.

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • 0BG
                            • 27 Jan 2019

                            Well it really doesn't matter, because one thing's for sure: They are not the present (In terms of practicality) and we are living in the present, so i don't care what it's gonna be like 10 years from now.

                            It's ridiculous. you can always use bluetooth, wireless charging or eSim, no need to remove basic features to have these.

                              I voted for the future, but let me clarify something first. We are not living in the future.
                              Future holds many amazing things. Wireless charging will be able to go through metals, and on much farther distances, so there will be no need for a putting your phone on a charging pad.
                              Wireless audio will be superb and super battery efficient. No one will want to tangle themselves with cables.
                              Cameras will be tiny and powerful, and invisible when not using.
                              Who knows, maybe we'll also have solar panels in displays, so our devices will be always charged. And of course new battery technology will wave powerbanks goodbye. This is the future. But it's not here yet.
                              So the Vivo Apex 2019 and Meizu Zero are just fun concept devices, nothing more.

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • tu6
                                • 27 Jan 2019

                                Real full screen phones is the future. I don't mind Vivo's last Nex' popup selfie cam solution if not for their still shitty software implementation. Not totally hole-less. That's anti user and anti repair.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • GX3
                                  • 27 Jan 2019

                                  AnonD-762416, 27 Jan 2019I don't think anyone believe these are the future. Its obvi... moreThis article isn't discussing punch-hole selfie cameras, but the possible future trend of buttonless & portless smartphones like Meizu Zero.

                                    Trend or not, reality is that less moving parts means there is less likely something to break so it last longer.
                                    Though some tech lags like wireless behind 3.5jack in quality, it can be pushed to products just so it got reason to get better.

                                      • S
                                      • Sausama
                                      • 3EY
                                      • 27 Jan 2019

                                      Until everything get hole-less, it's a gimmick...

                                        r33fd, 27 Jan 201990 percent of people do not know what they want from a smar... moreYou are perfectly right. I have used Microsoft 950 for 18 months. Then due to Microsoft choosing down to close mobile stuff; I chose to go for iPhone SE. Using in its 14th month. Still can't make me believe that I need to upgrade my phone. I kept my Microsoft mobile for pictures. And on vacation, I still use my Nokia 808. I am going to upgrade my laptop instead of my mobile this year.