iPhone 16 Professional Max: Does a 1mm bezel actually make a distinction?

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 Professional Max is already producing a variety of hype, and one of many largest speaking factors is its rumored ultra-thin bezel, which is alleged to be simply over 1mm broad – extra exactly 1.15mm. The same skinny bezel is rumored for the iPhone 16 Professional.

This tiny bezel will enable Apple to grace the iPhone 16 Professional Max with a bigger show with out making the cellphone itself a lot greater or bulkier. However as thrilling as this sounds, I can not assist however ask myself: will this ultra-thin bezel actually enhance the person expertise, or is it simply one other intelligent advertising trick?

A thinner bezel sounds tremendous interesting (at first)

Let’s begin by understanding why a thinner bezel is even price discussing. Bezels are the borders that encompass your cellphone’s display, and for years, cellphone makers have been shrinking them to create a extra immersive viewing expertise. The concept is straightforward: much less bezel means extra display. A thinner bezel provides you a bigger show in the identical bodily house, which implies you may get pleasure from extra content material with out carrying a much bigger system.

Apple hasn’t actually been slimming bezels as a lot as different opponents (like Samsung, for instance), however it’s been working in the direction of making extra smooth, elegant units. And now, the iPhone 16 Professional Max is predicted to take this to the following stage with a bezel that is barely there – simply 1.15mm thick. This is able to make it the thinnest bezel on any iPhone but, and certain one of many thinnest available on the market.

However is thinner at all times higher?

Whereas a thinner bezel sounds spectacular and undoubtedly drives some folks into hype mode, I insist we should always think about whether or not it really improves the cellphone’s usability.

For many individuals, an almost bezel-less design might be interesting as a result of it makes the system look extra fashionable and premium. Additionally, as I mentioned, a thinner bezel may make the display really feel extra immersive: be it for video binge-watching, gaming, or simply looking social media.

Nonetheless, there’s extra to a cellphone than simply the way it seems to be. Usability is essential, and that is why I am a little bit bit involved. When the bezel is so skinny, there’s much less room for error when holding the cellphone. So, we’re dealing with the potential downside of unintended touches that make the cellphone appear like it has a thoughts of its personal. Particularly for those who attempt to use it with one hand. And that’s one annoying factor!

One other potential problem I can consider is the sturdiness of the display (particularly within the breath-holding second after a wonderful flight towards the bottom). Bezels usually are not merely a waste of house, they really present some safety to the display! I do not actually wish to be extra sorry than protected… Though iPhones are typically recognized for his or her sturdiness, it’s one thing to consider with such a skinny bezel.

The Dynamic Island will nonetheless be there

Apple’s Dynamic Island was first launched with the iPhone 14 Professional. And it’ll nonetheless be a part of the iPhone 16 Professional fashions. The Dynamic Island is that pill-shaped cutout on the prime of the display that homes the entrance digicam and Face ID sensors, and the factor that Apple marketed as a function to interchange the notch. Yep, it provides some additional performance, however it additionally takes up a portion of the display.
With the iPhone 16 Professional‘s thinner bezel, you would possibly anticipate a achieve in usable display house, however the presence of the Dynamic Island might spoil the impact. Positive, the display could also be bigger, however that further house won’t really feel as impactful (fast word: “50% thinner bezels” doesn’t suggest a “50% greater display”, people) as a result of the Dynamic Island nonetheless occupies a noticeable portion of the show.

Aesthetics vs performance

Apple is understood for its meticulous consideration to element, and the iPhone 16 Professional’s ultra-thin bezel will for positive make the system look gorgeous. However aesthetics aren’t every part (regardless of how a lot I would like them to be). A cellphone can look superb, but when it’s much less snug to make use of, that magnificence loses a few of its worth. And I’ve come to understand performance and luxury these days generally to the detriment of magnificence (we will not at all times have each!)

The iPhone 16 Professional’s thinner bezel is prone to make the system look extra elegant and fashionable. Nonetheless, it stays to be seen whether or not this design alternative will elevate the person expertise with the cellphone. Positive, Apple can do some magic behind the scenes to reduce unintended touches, and guarantee sturdiness, however nonetheless… will the magic be sufficient?

The skinny bezel race

Telephones these days are prime performers, and it is getting tougher and tougher to distinguish from the competitors. Chipsets are blazing quick and most of the people cannot inform the distinction between this 12 months’s flagship efficiency versus final 12 months’s. Or the one from two years in the past.

The scenario with the bezels is analogous. We’re getting thinner and thinner bezels, however I am undecided, simply normally, how vital slimming them is. I do not discover the bezels on my iPhone 13 Professional Max. Heck, I do not discover them on my boyfriend’s iPhone 8 (and so they’re monumental, what bothers me within the 8 is the Contact ID scenario…). So, is not that one other facet of the “numbers recreation”, identical to now we have with the megapixels on cellphone cameras and processor speeds?

So, does a 1mm bezel actually make a distinction? The reply is dependent upon what you worth most in a smartphone. In the event you’re somebody who prioritizes design and the look of your system, the iPhone 16 Professional’s thinner bezel might entice you (earlier than you overlook about bezels altogether). It might assist the cellphone look extra premium.

Alternatively, for those who’re extra involved about how the cellphone capabilities in on a regular basis use, you won’t discover the thinner bezel as compelling. We’ve got the potential for extra unintended display touches, together with the minimal achieve in precise usable display house as a result of Dynamic Island. Yep, this implies the advantages won’t be as vital as they first seem (or as Apple would need you to suppose).

Do not get me flawed, in the long run, I do suppose that the 16 Professional Max’s ultra-thin bezel is spectacular. And it means Apple continues to be considering of arising with methods to assist me inform iPhone fashions aside. However whether or not this makes a noticeable distinction is up for debate. We have to get this cellphone as soon as it is launched, stay with it, and inform you the way it feels to assist clear issues up. Till now, let’s wait (relatively impatiently) for the upcoming occasion. I, for one, actually wish to see these new iPhones already!