On screen vs Off Screen Buttons

[dragosoft]

I voted for off screen. I guess it's also from a developer's point of view concerning on how users can react to accidentally swiping the back button or home button when interacting with your app(I add preventative measures, but this just as easily can annoy a user who actually meant to press either button). I do have to say though that on screen controls do look rather nice though hehe.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

I prefer them on screen because you can add and remove buttons at will and you can also customize them.

 

[TEDGIFUN]

It actually depends on functionality. Sometimes you need screen for something else rahter then buttons

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

It actually depends on functionality. Sometimes you need screen for something else rahter then buttons

On my G4, you can hide the buttons in certain apps so that the entire screen is used

I believe it's absent from stock Android, bar the apps that support Immersion mode.

 

[infoaccion]

I prefer Off screen (capacitive) buttons. I think screen is for content, not to control the device

 

[Cy Fung]

I prefer on screen. It is more standardized. Fragmentation is huge enough on android, it is easier for developers to optimize the user experience for on screen buttons.

 

[Mane Robinson]

I actually prefer on screen buttons despite all the problems they have

 

[Efeal]

I believe the size of the display is also a factor in this discussion. With a 4.7" size display and bigger I wouldn't mind onscreen buttons. Anything smaller, and I would prefer off-screen navigation buttons to preserve the whole screen for displaying the image.

 

[Alex Wetzel]

Off screen for sure. You get a better experience overall when you don't have half an inch of arguably unused room at the bottom of your screen.

Posted from the one and only Note 4

 

[Funny House]

I prefer off screen buttons as well.
The screen space is so valuable.

 

[gameDNAstudio]

It doesn't matter. Both solutions are good

 

[syspry]

On screen for me for 2 main reasons. I like having the buttons change orientation with you when switching between portrait and landscape, and the buttons disappear anyway for those times when it actually matters: viewing media. I guess a 3rd point would also be I don't need to worry about wear and tear. I also agree with the points made by others too. Easier to develop for, no extra bezel room required. I don't understand why people say capacitive buttons give you more screen when they're sitting in bezel space that could have been used for more screen. Do they also not require hardware sensors as well? That could translate into a little more battery consumption and less space for better hardware upgrades.