Samsung is embracing the notch moving forward

And just like that, the last major notch hold-out is gone.

While other manufacturers including Google, Apple, OnePlus, and LG have all embraced the display notch over the last year or so, Samsung has notably stood out as bucking the curve. Instead of the notch to maximize screen real estate, Samsung has held fast with its minuscule top and bottom bezels on both the Galaxy and Note line. Many have praised the design for its beautiful symmetry and expansive display while avoiding the oft-discussed notch. However, Samsung has announced that is about to change.

Say "hello" to Samsung's new notches

In addition to debuting screens that fold, Samsung also took the time today to talk about the various ways in which they are looking to maximize screen size while minimizing bezels, and that appears to mean adopting a notch. However, it does appear they are feeling a "less is more" mentality to notch design.

During the presentation, they did give a small look at the different designs they are experimenting with which they are calling "Infinity U", "Infinity V", and "Infinity O". The "U" design appears to borrow directly from the original notch featured on Essential's PH-1. It utilizes a straight drop down notch with minimal screen impact. The "V" has a strong resemblance to the "U" but seemingly features four distinct lines forming a home-plate style cut-out. It is the "O" design that may come with some strong public opinions; while it is in the screen as opposed to up top (as suggested by rumors), it is off-center drawing sharp comparisons to the leaked ZenFone 6.

In addition to the three showcased notches, Samsung also showed a picture of what they are calling "New Infinity" which has no notch or cut-out at all. This design was not mentioned even in name on stage which suggests that the technology is not ready yet; this would make it appear to be more of a camera under the display as opposed to a slider mechanism which is already shipping on other devices. A camera under the display, with pixels that black out to allow camera use, is long-considered the holy grail of display technology so it is not surprising that Samsung could be exploring this route.

All in all, it is not an overly surprising announcement that Samsung is moving toward screen notches, but that does not make it any less disappointing. Samsung has a long history of pleasing customers by keeping features that other manufacturers have abandoned including MicroSD support and the beloved headphone jack; its Apple-bashing notch commercial may look even worse than when Google mercilessly mocked Apple for ditching the headphone jack one year before following suit. It now appears that come next year, there will not be a flagship available without a notch (assuming Google's Pixel 4 ditches them).