No single hardware feature visually defines a smartphone as much as the display. Display sizes are steadily increasing as video, web-browsing and gaming become the primary uses of smartphones for many. In order to get as much usable space as possible for the display without increasing the size of the smartphone to unreasonable sizes, minimal bezels and full bezeless displays are becoming the norm, particularly for high-end and premium smartphones. These designs require compromises including cutting out portions of the display for front-facing selfie cameras, microphones and other sensors.

Apple iPhone 11 with Notch


The first Notch smartphones, in which a wedge at the top of the display was removed to make room for sensors came in 2017. In response to complaints that the wedge removed too much of the display, in 2018 came the punch hole. Punch hole displays are becoming more common, but for full-display smartphones, the Notch remains the dominant design. That dominance will continue through 2020 before being eclipsed by Punch Hole displays in 2021.

Samsung Note 10 with Punch Hole


Strategy Analytics' Device Technologies practice has released its 6th report in a series on smartphone display technologies. While previous reports in the series have forecast the evolution of display sizes, technologies, aspect ratios, resolution and smartphone display sizes by price tiers, the most recent explores and forecasts how Full Display smartphones specifically will evolve. Clients of our Device Technologies (EDT) practice can access the report, Global Smartphone Display Design Forecasts to 2024 here.