Google confirms Android One doesn't require smartphone makers to remove the hiding notch feature
You might remember that Nokia 6.1 Plus and HMD Global were in the middle of a debate last week concerning the hiding of the notch feature. Many of the smartphones that sport a notched display offer the option to hide it, but for some reason, the Finnish company decided to remove last week.
At that time, a moderator from the official HMD forum said the option to hide the notch was removed due to Google's Android One requirements. However, if that were true, then other Android One smartphones should start preventing users from hiding the notch.
The good news is Google confirmed to XDA Developers that Android One does not have such a requirement that will force smartphone makers to remove the hiding notch feature. Fast forward a few days and HMD announced through the voice of its CPO, Juho Sarvikas, that they will enable the setting to black out the notch on the Nokia 6.1 Plus again.
Of course, questions like why HMD removed the hiding notch feature from the Nokia 6.1 Plus and why it said it was required by Google's Android One still remain. But these are questions that we won't be able to answer and the Finnish company will probably never want to admit it made a blunder (if that's the case).
But hey, all's well that ends well, so if you're rocking a Nokia 6.1 Plus, which is a decent mid-range smartphone, then you can expect to be able to hide the notch once again very soon.
At that time, a moderator from the official HMD forum said the option to hide the notch was removed due to Google's Android One requirements. However, if that were true, then other Android One smartphones should start preventing users from hiding the notch.
Of course, questions like why HMD removed the hiding notch feature from the Nokia 6.1 Plus and why it said it was required by Google's Android One still remain. But these are questions that we won't be able to answer and the Finnish company will probably never want to admit it made a blunder (if that's the case).
source: XDA Developers, Juho Sarvikas (Twitter)
Things that are NOT allowed: