Google Encourages App Developers to Adopt Larger Aspect Ratio After Samsung Galaxy S8, LG G6 Launch

There is a new mobile display trend making waves, an immersive, super widescreen format that results in taller displays. This was recently championed by LG with the G6 flagship unveiled at MWC 2016, with its 18:9 aspect ratio. Samsung also got into the game with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, featuring an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. The problem is all apps are made with keeping the 16:9 aspect ratio in mind, and not the newly emerging trend of 18.5:9 or 18:9. Google is looking to combat this by encouraging developers to embrace this new aspect ratio, and get apps to adapt to the new ratio as well.

On its Android developers’ blog, Google suggests app developers to consider increasing their app's maximum supported aspect ratio. Google has also listed a fairly simple method to do the same in the blog. “As more super widescreen Android devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the LG G6, become available, you'll have more opportunities to display more content and create more engaging experiences with your app,” Google explains to developers.

The apps on the new Android screens otherwise have an unsightly black bar at the top and bottom of the screen, limiting them to make the most out of the large screen real estate. For now, there are only two smartphones in the market with the new aspect ratios, but Google feels that this trend is set to continue in the future as well. Both the LG G6 and Samsung Galaxy S8 have not yet launched in India, with no official word on availability yet.