Looking at all the features that older phones uses to have compared to newer ones, I never hear anyone talk about the removal of the notification LED. I personally really liked that feature, being able to see if I got an email, a text or missed a call without turning on my phone was awesome. My Samsung note 8 had this feature, but to my knowledge, newer phones (in the major companies anyway) have abandoned this feature. Did everyone else unanimously agree they don’t care for this feature?
The notification led is one of the biggest things I miss. I glance at my phone from across the room and based on the color of the led, I knew what notification I had. Now I have to check my phone periodically to see if/what notifications have been received. Particularly annoying when my phone is charging somewhere.
Same. My Nexus 5x was the last device I had with this feature. Until then evvry device I owned had it, and I always tweaked it so color was unique to each app. Its a shame when something not useful to 100% of users is phased out with no alternative.
There is an app called aodnotify that can do that using the always on display option, but only displaying the notification light.
They flash the flashlight now. I was in a meeting last week and this marketing dipshits flashlight kept flashing on and off every time his phone vibrated with a notification
This is an accessibility feature. My deaf friend uses it because he can’t hear the chimes and wants to know about notifications even if his phone is on the desk. That being said, it would be super distracting in a meeting.
That makes sense for the deaf, hasn’t thought of that. This guy isn’t deaf, just works in marketing so has to be as annoying as possible
There was a guy in the cinema recently who had this feature turned on. He didn’t even bother to turn on do not disturb after the first time and he just didn’t give a fuck that it was bothering everyone.
My classmate uses that and it’s really obnoxious.
I think very few people cared. The Nothing Phone has a feature similar to that though, where the back of the phone lights up depending on what’s happening (notification, call, etc).
I think the problem that notification LEDs were designed to solve is just solved in other ways now, notably smart watches or the Always-On Display for OLED devices. Both consume more power than a notification LED would, but they also don’t require a dedicated physical space on the phone.
Notification LEDs kinda only make sense for phones without OLED since you can simply display a notification with minimal energy construction.
Meh, an RGB notification LED was still much more glanceable. I agree that it’s somewhat redundant, but I had OLED phones with notif LEDs and it was still nice.
Idk about minimal energy consumption. I tried it on my s23 and the battery drain was a noticeable difference.
Ooof. Jumping in to say im currently on an s9 that is dying and was thinking of going to the 23. Didnt even consider the notification light til seeing your post and some comments here.
There is an app (not mine) called aodnotify that only turns on the always on display under certain circumstances. Customizable kinda like different light colors were. This might help? I use it on my s9 but have no clue if its updated or compatible with newer phones.
I have seen other replies about that app. I need to try it and see how it is. The s23 is still a solid phone though. But it depends on if you want a headphone jack and SD card.
Also phones get so many notifications these days that the light has mostly lost its meaning. Last time I had a phone with one was around 2018 and the light was pretty much blinking at all times.
Nothing phones have excessive notification LEDs at the back of devices, and they are customizable.
Nothing is a OnePlus’ successor
I just bought a Sony Xperia 5 IV, it was released last November, and it has one. So they’re not completely gone yet. I really appreciate it. Always on displays seem like overkill for that purpose.
Headphone jack, 2 SD card slots, physical shutter button, front-facing speakers
Sony is really behind the competition when it comes to making worse products.
Haha, exactly why I bought it
Front facing speakers, SD card for Spotify downloads, shutter button is nice and basically stock android is great. The 21:9 ratio is something I don’t think I could live without now. It’s amazing.
That’s awesome that Sony is keeping the feature alive. I never liked the AOD concept, it just uses more battery than benefit it provides.
They dropped it in the newest Xperia 1 V. Still kept all of the other great features though.
The Sony Xperia IV series came out late 2022 and that still has a notification LED and a 3.5mm jack. The newer Xperia V series removed the LED but still has the jack.
RIP
I think my Xperia 1 has one, since it doesn’t do the punchole nonsense. There’s definitely a LED in the top bezel, and I think it’s color coded. To be honest, since I have a watch it’s not as relevant anyway. I do miss legacy features enough to have moved to this thing, though.
Not on newer phones. Similar to the headphone jack, most phones got rid of it to expand the bezel. You do get some phones that fake one by using the display, but an actual notification LED seems to be a thing of the past.
I always enjoyed that feature. If memory serves, my Galaxy S4 had that and I found it useful.
am I the only one who misses funky antenna bobs that would flash like old nokias? that was handy
I use always on edge https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.used.aoe Love it.
This used to be a feature that you could filter by on GSMArena, but alas it has gone from even there.
It died like 10 years ago for AOD and bigger screens
