Best Smartphones With a Notch: Top Picks and Trade-Offs

The Apple iPhone 16 is the best all-around smartphone with a notch for most buyers: its Dynamic Island sits in a cutout at the top of the display, and it combines strong cameras, long software support, and broad accessory availability. If you mean a traditional, fixed notch rather than any screen cutout, consider older iPhones such as the iPhone 13—but check current availability, condition, and software support before buying.

What to Look For

“Notch” can mean different things. Apple’s newer iPhones use a pill-shaped Dynamic Island that changes to show certain alerts and live activities; older models have a static notch. Android phones have largely moved to small hole-punch cameras, so genuinely current choices with a traditional notch are limited. Decide whether you specifically want the look, or simply want a good phone and are comfortable with a cutout.

Prioritize the features you will use every day:

• Software support: A phone should receive security updates for as long as you expect to keep it. Support varies by model and region; verify the manufacturer’s current policy, especially for older or refurbished phones.
• Battery and condition: Battery capacity declines with age. For used iPhones, check battery health, parts and service history, and whether the seller offers a return period or warranty.
• Camera needs: A base model is usually enough for everyday photos. Choose a Pro model if you value a telephoto camera, more advanced video options, or other premium camera features.
• Screen and size: Compare display size, brightness, weight, and refresh rate in person if possible. A notch affects how the status area looks, but it does not by itself determine display quality.
• Price and condition: Compare total cost, storage, warranty, and repair history—not just the model name. An older flagship can be a poor value if its battery is worn or its support window is short.

Apple iPhone 16: Best Overall

The iPhone 16 is the strongest general recommendation here for people who want a recent phone with Apple’s Dynamic Island. It has a capable main camera system, a bright OLED display, USB-C charging, and access to Apple’s current iOS features. The Dynamic Island can surface supported activities and alerts, although it is still a display cutout and does not make every app notch-aware.

Trade-offs: It costs more than an older refurbished iPhone, and its screen has a 60Hz refresh rate rather than the smoother high-refresh displays found on Pro models and many Android phones. Apple Intelligence availability depends on supported hardware, software, language, and region; do not buy on the assumption that every feature is available everywhere.

Best for: Buyers who want a current iPhone, a familiar notch-like cutout, dependable everyday performance, and several years of useful life. Choose it if you do not need a Pro camera system.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Best for Cameras and Display

The iPhone 16 Pro is a better fit if you want Apple’s Dynamic Island alongside a more advanced camera setup and a ProMotion display with a higher refresh rate. Its telephoto camera provides more flexibility for distant subjects, while the larger screen and premium construction suit frequent video, photography, and demanding apps.

Trade-offs: It is expensive, heavier than the standard model, and more capability than many buyers need. The Dynamic Island is present, but the phone’s higher price is justified by its camera and display features—not by the cutout alone.

Best for: People who regularly use zoom photography, want a smoother screen, or need advanced video controls. If those are not priorities, the standard iPhone 16 is usually the more sensible buy.

Apple iPhone 15: Best Value for a Recent Dynamic Island

The iPhone 15 brought the Dynamic Island to Apple’s standard iPhone line, making it a useful option when retailers or reputable refurbishers offer it for notably less than a newer model. It has a 48-megapixel main camera, USB-C, and a capable OLED display. Its familiar size and performance cover common tasks well.

Trade-offs: It is a generation older than the iPhone 16, and it does not support Apple Intelligence. Remaining new stock and refurbished prices vary widely, so compare it with the newer phone rather than assuming an older model is automatically a bargain. Check the precise warranty and condition.

Best for: iPhone buyers who want the Dynamic Island and USB-C but can save meaningfully by choosing a previous-generation model. Skip it if the price is close to the iPhone 16.

Apple iPhone 13: Best Traditional Notch on a Budget

The iPhone 13 has the classic, fixed notch rather than the Dynamic Island. Its OLED screen, capable dual cameras, and performance remain suitable for everyday calls, messaging, browsing, and photos. It can make sense as a lower-cost used or refurbished choice for someone who specifically prefers the traditional notch.

Trade-offs: It is an older model, uses Lightning rather than USB-C, and lacks newer camera and interface features. Battery wear, repair history, and remaining software support matter more than small differences in the original specifications. Confirm that the device is not activation-locked and that its screen and cameras work properly.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want the classic iPhone notch and are comfortable buying used. Compare its final price and condition with a newer refurbished model before committing.

Apple iPhone 14: A Middle Ground, If the Price Is Right

The iPhone 14 keeps the traditional notch and offers a familiar, capable iPhone experience with an OLED display and dual rear cameras. It is newer than the iPhone 13, but it does not have the Dynamic Island found on the iPhone 15 and later standard models.

Trade-offs: Its value depends heavily on the price. It still uses Lightning, and its design and everyday experience are close enough to the iPhone 13 that a large premium may not be worthwhile. Availability of new units varies, so verify that a listing is for the exact model and includes a proper warranty.

Best for: Buyers who want a traditional notch and find the iPhone 14 at a small premium over a comparable iPhone 13. If the iPhone 15 costs only a little more, the newer design may be the better long-term choice.

How to Choose

Start with your budget. For a new, recent iPhone with a notch-like cutout, compare the iPhone 16 with discounted iPhone 15 stock. For a lower budget, look at refurbished iPhone 13 or 14 models from sellers with clear grading, warranty terms, and returns. Avoid choosing solely by the lowest listing price; battery condition and repair quality can erase the savings.

Match the phone to your use. For messaging, maps, social apps, and everyday photos, the standard iPhone 16 or a well-priced iPhone 15 is enough. If photography, zoom, or a smoother display matters, compare the iPhone 16 Pro. If your main goal is a classic notch, the iPhone 13 or 14 fits better than a Dynamic Island model.

Be realistic about the notch. The cutout takes up part of the top display area, and some video or games may show it differently depending on the app. Dynamic Island adds useful at-a-glance information for supported activities, but it is not a separate display or a guarantee that notifications will appear there.

Check the details before buying used. Confirm storage, carrier compatibility, return conditions, warranty, battery health, and whether Face ID works. Inspect for screen damage and ask about replaced parts. For an older phone, check the current software compatibility and support situation rather than relying on a seller’s vague promise of updates.

Consider switching costs. If you already own accessories or use services tied to Android, compare the total hassle and expense of moving platforms. Android models with hole-punch cameras are easier to find than current notch phones, so be open to a different cutout if the notch itself is not essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which current iPhone has a notch?
The iPhone 16 and 15 use the Dynamic Island, a pill-shaped cutout. The iPhone 14 and 13 use a traditional notch.

Is the Dynamic Island the same as a notch?
It is a screen cutout serving a similar physical purpose, but iOS can display supported alerts and activities around it. A traditional notch is generally static.

Is the iPhone 13 still worth buying?
It can be, if the price is low, the battery and condition are good, and it meets your needs. Check current software support and compare it with newer refurbished phones.

Are there good Android phones with a notch?
Most current Android phones use a small hole-punch camera instead. Older Android notch models exist, but their age and update support make careful checking essential.

Should I buy an iPhone 15 or iPhone 16?
Choose the 16 if the price difference is reasonable or you want its newer features. The 15 is a good value only when it is substantially cheaper and its features are sufficient.

Does a notch affect full-screen video?
It can overlap or reduce the visible picture in some layouts. How it appears depends on the phone’s display settings and how each video app handles full-screen content.

Bottom Line

For most people seeking a smartphone with a notch, the iPhone 16 is the best overall choice: it is recent, capable, and uses the Dynamic Island for supported live information. Pick the iPhone 16 Pro for its camera and display advantages, the iPhone 15 when the discount is substantial, or a carefully checked iPhone 13 or 14 if you specifically want a traditional notch. The right answer depends on budget, battery condition, and whether the notch style matters more than getting a newer phone.

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