Cut punch hole in Xiaomi smartphones: what it is, why you need and how it affects the use of

The trend towards frameless screens has led manufacturers to look for new ways to place the front camera. One of the most popular solutions is the punch hole cutout, which Xiaomi is actively using in its smartphones. If you first encountered this term or are wondering whether to choose a model with this design, this article will help you to understand all the nuances.

Punch hole

iPhone X

Xiaomi Mi Mix 3

The punch hole cutout affects the perception of content, games and everyday smartphone use

Xiaomi

Many users fear that the cutout will distract or interfere with the viewing of the video. Others, on the contrary, consider it more aesthetically pleasing than the wide bezels or mechanical parts. In this article, we will analyze all the pros and cons, and give recommendations on how to adapt to this design if you have never used a smartphone with a punch hole before.

What is a punch hole and how did it come about?

Puncture hole technology was first introduced in 2018 by Samsung in the Galaxy smartphone A8s, But Xiaomi quickly picked up the trend and adapted it to fit its devices, and the bottom line is simple: instead of placing the camera in a wide bezeel or a retractable module, the manufacturer literally cuts out a small area in the screen matrix, leaving it functional.

In Xiaomi smartphones, the cutout is most often located:

• 🔹 In the upper left corner (for example, in the Redmi Note 10 Pro or in the upper left corner). POCO X3 Pro)
• 🔹 In the middle of the top part (like in Xiaomi) 11T Pro or Mi 11)
• 🔹 Less commonly, in the upper right corner (found in some models for specific markets)

The cutout size varies from 2.98 mm (in Xiaomi 13) to 4-5 mm in budget models. The smaller the diameter, the less noticeable the defect on the screen. Manufacturers are also experimenting with shape: in addition to round cutouts, there are drop-shaped (as in the Redmi Note 9 Pro) or even oval (in some concepts).

Interestingly, Xiaomi patented the "Under-Display Camera" technology, which was supposed to eliminate the need for cutouts completely, but by 2026, the technology had not yet become widespread due to the deterioration of selfies, so punch hole remains the most balanced solution.

Pros and cons of punch hole cutout in Xiaomi smartphones

Like any technology, punch holes have their advantages and disadvantages, and let’s look at the popular Xiaomi models.

Advantages

• 📱 Maximum screen area: Compared to a monobra or wide frame, the cutout takes up minimal space, allowing you to enjoy the content without unnecessary distractions.
• 🔧 Reliability: Unlike retractable cameras (which can break when falling), a punch hole is a static element that has no moving parts.
• 💰 Price: Smartphones with this cutout are usually cheaper than models with Under-Display Camera or mechanical modules.
• 🎮 Adaptation in games: most modern games (for example, in the game, PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact optimized for punch hole and do not overlap with important interface elements.

Deficiencies

• 🎬 Video viewing: In full screen, the cutout can overlap part of the image (especially noticeable in movies with black stripes on the sides).
• 🔄 Getting used to: the first days of use some users are distracted by the "hole" in the screen.
• 📸 Selfie restrictions: Due to the small size of the cutout, the camera usually has less resolution than the main module.
• 🛠️ Difficulty of repair: if the screen matrix is damaged in the notch area, the replacement costs more than conventional displays.

It’s important to note that many of the drawbacks are subjective: For example, in the Xiaomi 12 Pro, the cutout is only 3.16 mm long, and most users stop noticing it after a week of active use.

⚠️ Warning: If you often watch videos on YouTube or Netflix in full screen, check if the app supports automatic cropping of content around the cutout.In some cases, black bars on the sides may look unaesthetic.

What Xiaomi models are equipped with a punch hole cutout

Xiaomi is actively using punch hole technology in all segments - from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and other products. POCO. The table below presents popular models with an indication of the size and location of the cutout:

Note that in budget models (like the Redmi 10), the cutout can be larger and the front camera resolution lower.This is due to optimizing production costs. Flagship devices (like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) offer more compact cutouts and better selfie cameras.

If you choose a smartphone and want to minimize the visibility of the cutout, pay attention to models with a central location (as in the case of the model). POCO F5). They are less visually conspicuous than asymmetrical solutions.

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In the settings of some Xiaomi smartphones (for example, MIUI 14) you can turn on the "Hide the Notch" option, which darkens the area around the camera with a black bar, which helps when watching video, but reduces the usable screen area.

How the punch hole cutout affects video and game viewing

One of the most controversial issues is the impact of punch holes on content perception, and let's look at how the cutout works in different scenarios.

🎬 Watching video

In most video players (including YouTube, Netflix and MIUI Video Player – The cutout does not override useful content thanks to two mechanisms:

• 🔍 Automatic Cutting: The app automatically narrows the picture, leaving black fields on the sides (like in a movie theater).
• 🖥️ Manual setting: in some players, you can manually shift the image so that the cutout does not fall on important details.

However, in full-screen mode (such as TikTok or Instagram Reels), the cutout can overlap some content, especially in vertical videos, where the camera sometimes hits faces or subtitles.

🎮 Gameplay

Modern games are adapted for punch hole, but there are nuances:

• ✅ V MOBA (For example, Mobile Legends) or shooters (for example, Call of Duty Mobile) interface is adjusted to the cutout, without overlapping important elements (map, health, ammunition).
• ⚠️ In some racing simulators (such as Asphalt 9), the cutout can hit the track, but it depends on the screen resolution and game settings.
• 🔧 V MIUI there is a function "Game turbo mode", which optimizes the display under the cutout.

If you are an active gamer, check before buying how your favorite game appears on a particular model. 12T The cutout does not interfere, but in PUBG Mobile on Redmi Note 11 may slightly touch the mini-card.

Can I turn off or hide the punch hole?

You can't completely remove the physical cutout, but there are ways to make it less visible.

📱 Programmatic methods

• 🌑 Dark subject: in MIUI Turn on the dark mode (Settings) → Screen. → Dark subject. On a black background, the cutout visually merges with the background.
• 🖼️ Hiding through Settings: Some Models (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T) allow you to add a black bar above the cutout (Settings) → Screen. → Full screen mode → Hide the camera cutout).
• 🎨 Cloaked wallpaper: Use wallpaper with a dark top or abstract pattern that distracts attention from the cutout.

🛠️ Hardware solutions

If the cutout is very disturbing, you can consider alternatives:

• 🔄 Screen replacement: service centers offer matrixes without a cutout, but it is expensive and deprives of warranties.
• 📱 Buying a model with a retractable camera: for example, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 (an outdated model) or Black Shark 2 Pro (a gaming smartphone).

⚠️ Note: Hide the Notch reduces the usable screen area by 5 to 10 percent. If you care about every fraction of an inch of a display (for example, for reading or graphics), this option may be uncomfortable.

Use a dark theme|Enable the concealment of the cutout in the settings|Choose a wallpaper with a dark top|Disable full screen mode in video players|Get used to the cutout in 1-2 weeks of active use-->

Comparison of punch holes with other types of cutouts

In addition to punch holes, smartphones use other ways to place the front camera, and compare them by key parameters:

If you compare a punch hole to a subscreen camera, the former is better in reliability and price, but it loses in aesthetics. Retractable modules provide a clean screen, but increase the thickness of the case and the risk of breakage.

For most users, punch hole is the gold standard: it offers a balance between usable screen area, reliability and price. If you care about the quality of a selfie, look for models with a drop-shaped cutout (such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro), where the camera usually has more megapixels.

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Punch hole is the best solution for those who appreciate reliability and maximum screen area, but are not ready to overpay for experimental technologies such as a subscreen camera.

The future of technology: what will happen to the punch hole in Xiaomi smartphones

Xiaomi is investing heavily in frameless screen technology. MWC In 2023, the company unveiled a prototype smartphone with a completely hidden front camera that activates only when needed.

As for punch hole, the following improvements are expected in the coming years:

• 🔍 Size reduction: Xiaomi 14 cutout can be reduced to 2.5 mm.
• 📸 Improvement of the camera: new sensors will allow you to place in a small cutout camera with a resolution of 50 MP.
• 🎨 Dynamic Hiding: The screen will automatically “paint over” the cutout area to match the color of the content (as in the Samsung Galaxy). S23).

Xiaomi is also experimenting with dual cutouts (for camera and light sensor), but this solution has not yet been widely adopted due to the complexity of production.

If you’re planning to buy a smartphone for 2-3 years, punchhole models are still the right choice. For those who want to be one step ahead, wait for the announcements of Xiaomi 14 or Mix 5, where new solutions may come.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the cutout punch hole in Xiaomi