Google to Manufacturers: No More Than Two Notches Per Device, Please

In a blog post penned to application developers this week, Google laid down a few rules that Android phone manufacturers will need to take into account when designing devices.

Most importantly, Google states that there can be no more than two display cutouts (notches) on one device. While many are seemingly already upset over one (get a load of the comments section), it appears we should be more worried about the possibility of two notches. 😬

As for where Google says these notches can be located, so long as there aren’t multiple cutouts on a single edge (top or bottom sides) or cutouts on the left or right long edge of phones, it’s all fair game for manufacturers. While essentially saying this with these words, but without saying it plainly, this mean it’s OK to have one cutout at the top of the display and one at the bottom.

Eww.

Here is how Google officially words its constraints.

Devices may only have up to one cutout on each short edge of the device. This means that:

• You won’t see multiple cutouts on a single edge, or more than two cutouts on a device.
• You won’t see a cutout on the left or right long edge of the device.

Within these constraints, devices can place cutouts wherever they want.

Even with Google outlining the limits, there is no saying whether any OEM has the cojones to release a phone with two notches. If any OEM were to do, I could see many Android fans blowing a gasket and that doesn’t sound like much fun at all.

// Google