Asian smartphone makers copying iPhone X display notch

Blackview, a Chinese smartphone brand, is one of many Asian manufacturers to have copied the distinctive cutout notch at the top of the iPhone X. — dpa

In some tech blogs, the cutout notch at the top of the iPhone X screen has been criticised and even ridiculed. But that hasn't stopped Asian manufacturers from copying the controversial design with enthusiasm.

At the recent Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, several large-screen phones were presented which had the distinctive notch at the top of the screen.

However, instead of using the space to house facial recognition sensors like the iPhone, the newer phones use the notch for more mundane things like speakers and front cameras.

The best-known manufacturer to have copied the iPhone X is Asus, which presented its new Zenfone 5 at the congress. The Taiwanese company said its display notch was 26% smaller than that of the iPhone.

At least half a dozen brands unknown outside of Asia, with names such as Blackview, Oukitel and Ulefone, also displayed designs clearly inspired by the latest iPhone.

Many of these phones are cheap, costing under US$200 (RM783) and in some cases under US$100 (RM391). The iPhone X, in contrast, starts at US$999 (RM3,910) in the United States before taxes. — dpa