Why Apple removed the notch entirely on iPhone 17: design evolution explained

The notch. For years, it was the defining, and often most controversial, feature of the iPhone’s front face. Introduced with the iPhone X in 2017, this cutout housed the sophisticated TrueDepth camera system necessary for Face ID. While functionally critical, it stood as an aesthetic compromise against the goal of a seamless, edge-to-edge display. The journey from the chunky notch to the Dynamic Island, and finally, to the truly uninterrupted screen of the iPhone 17 represents one of the most significant triumphs in mobile design evolution.

The iPhone 17 notch removal was not a sudden pivot but the culmination of years of relentless engineering investment. Apple’s decision to eliminate the final obstruction completes the vision Steve Jobs laid out decades ago: a simple, beautiful slab of glass that disappears, leaving only the content.

The Long Road to True Full-Screen Immersion

To understand the monumental nature of this shift, we must first appreciate the complexity of the components that needed to be hidden. The TrueDepth system wasn't just a simple selfie camera; it included an infrared camera, flood illuminator, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and the dot projector—all vital for secure biometric authentication (Face ID).

The Notch: A Necessary Evil (iPhone X to 14)

For half a decade, the standard notch represented the limit of miniaturization technology. No other company managed to integrate such a robust 3D facial recognition system while maintaining acceptable screen-to-body ratios. Apple prioritized security and functionality over pure aesthetics during this phase, accepting the visual interruption as a necessary trade-off for superior biometric performance.

Dynamic Island: The Transitional Phase (iPhone 14 Pro/15)

The introduction of the Dynamic Island marked the first major step in the iPhone design evolution away from the traditional notch. By shrinking the physical sensors and integrating the remaining space into a highly functional software element, Apple turned a hardware limitation into a celebrated user interface feature. However, the hardware—the punch-hole cutouts—remained visible. The Dynamic Island was the proof of concept that the essential hardware could be significantly reduced, paving the way for the eventual notch removal on the iPhone 17.

The Technology Enabling iPhone 17 Notch Removal

The complete removal of the visual interruption on the iPhone 17 required breakthroughs in two primary technological areas: under-display cameras and miniaturized sensor arrays.

Under-Display Camera (UDC) Maturity

The most critical component enabling the full-screen experience is the perfected Under-Display Camera (UDC) technology. Previous generations of UDC struggled with light transmission, often resulting in grainy or hazy images due to the OLED pixels obstructing the lens. For the iPhone 17, Apple partnered closely with display manufacturers to develop specialized high-transparency micro-pixels above the camera module. These pixels become virtually invisible when the camera is active, yet maintain perfect screen clarity for content consumption. This breakthrough ensures the selfie camera’s performance meets Apple’s stringent quality standards, even when hidden beneath the display.

Invisible Face ID Sensors and Miniaturization

While the UDC handles the visible light spectrum camera, the true challenge lay in hiding the infrared (IR) components of Face ID. The iPhone 17 achieves this through extreme sensor miniaturization and the transition to a fully integrated under-display sensing system. Key advancements include:

• Micro-OLED Integration: Embedding the dot projector and flood illuminator directly within the display stack, utilizing microscopic apertures that allow the IR light to pass through without affecting the screen’s visible output.
• Advanced Sensor Fusion: Utilizing highly sophisticated software algorithms and improved light sensitivity in the IR camera to compensate for any slight reduction in light transmission caused by the overlying pixels. This ensures Face ID remains instantaneous and secure, even in low-light conditions.

The Aesthetic and Usability Impact of the Seamless Display

The removal of the notch and Dynamic Island on the iPhone 17 delivers profound benefits that go far beyond mere aesthetics. This hardware milestone fundamentally changes how users interact with their device.

Maximizing Screen Real Estate and Immersion

The most immediate benefit is the maximization of usable screen real estate. Whether streaming high-definition video, playing graphics-intensive games, or editing complex documents, users now experience content that stretches truly from edge to edge. This enhanced immersion elevates the user experience, fulfilling the promise of a device where the hardware fades away, leaving only the digital world.

Achieving Apple’s Vision of Seamless Design

For Apple, the iPhone 17 represents the realization of a long-standing design philosophy. The device is now a pure, monolithic piece of technology. This seamless design language reinforces Apple’s commitment to minimalism and technological elegance, setting a new benchmark for the entire smartphone industry. The final elimination of the notch solidifies the iPhone 17’s place as a pivotal moment in mobile technology history.

The Competitive Landscape and Future Implications

While competitors had experimented with under-display solutions earlier, they often compromised heavily on camera quality or security. Apple’s patient approach ensured that the iPhone 17 notch removal was executed flawlessly, maintaining the high standards of Face ID security and camera performance that users expect. This move not only catches up with the aesthetic trend toward full-screen displays but also sets a new standard for how robust biometric security can be seamlessly integrated, forcing competitors to accelerate their own research into advanced UDC and sensor miniaturization techniques. The era of the interrupted smartphone display is officially over.