ELI5: Why did LED notification lights silently got removed from phone?

3 years ago by zephyr to c/explainlikeimfive

They were a good indicator for notifications that are missed when you were away from phone.

vaargk 104 points 3 years ago

Higher end Smartphones have anyway always on displays. And the led needs screenspace - which should be maximized. That's why the notch on phones etc. was introduced.

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Dark_Blade 45 points 3 years ago

Yeah, it’s basically just this. AODs took over for notification lights.

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giant_smeeg 17 points 3 years ago

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pfannkuchen_gesicht 16 points 3 years ago

I still think it's a terrible compromise. I actually looke specifically for a phone without one and ended up with a Sony Xperia. Sure, the front isn't 100% screen and I have tiny bars above and below the screen, but who cares?

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Sjoerd1993 13 points 3 years ago

The led can just be put in the speaker grill though, I think my old HTC did this.

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everett 2 points 3 years ago

This is true, and my last phone with a notification LED was like this, but I found that having the light recessed made it a lot harder to see from across the room since you're dependending quite a bit on viewing angle.

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Tschuuuls 1 point 3 years ago

Yes, but this has issues, too. Because dust clogs up the grills and suddenly the led is badly visible.

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CharlesReed 4 points 3 years ago

I have one of the Galaxy Notes that has both LED light and Always On, and you just made me realize I pay attention to the Always On display more than even noticing the LED light.

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