iPhone 11 is making people who fear small holes uncomfortable

Too many cameras means trypophobia for some.

Abrar Al-Heeti Technology Reporter

Abrar Al-Heeti is a technology reporter for CNET, with an interest in phones, streaming, internet trends, entertainment, pop culture and digital accessibility. She's also worked for CNET's video, culture and news teams. She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though Illinois is home, she now loves San Francisco -- steep inclines and all.

Expertise Abrar has spent her career at CNET analyzing tech trends while also writing news, reviews and commentaries across mobile, streaming and online culture. Credentials

Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.

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Abrar Al-Heeti

Sept. 12, 2019 2:59 p.m. PT

2 min read

iphone-11-pro-rt — The new iPhone 11 Pro has three rear cameras.
Shara Tibken/CNET

You may or may not be a fan of the new camera layout on Apple's iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. The Pro and Pro Max feature three cameras on the back, and some people find the design outright triggering.

After Apple unveiled the new phones on Tuesday, people with trypophobia, or an aversion to the sight of small holes or bumps, took to social media to share their reactions to the multiple-camera layout.

"The iPhone 11 leaks triggers my trypophobia. 🙈 #ApppleLaunchingEvent," someone tweeted.

The iPhone 11 leaks triggers my trypophobia. 🙈 #ApppleLaunchingEvent pic.twitter.com/3VclNSZAYt
— donbosconovitch (@donbosconovitch) September 10, 2019

Those three cameras are really taking a toll on some people.

"The new iPhone is creeping me TF out with the 3 little cameras. #Trypophobia," another person tweeted.

The new iPhone is creeping me TF out with the 3 little cameras. #Trypophobia pic.twitter.com/9qirqMtz1k
— Christine Emmanuelle (@MiSsChRiS710) September 10, 2019

Trypophobia isn't officially recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which lists known mental illnesses and accompanying symptoms. It may be more of a disgust of clusters of holes or bumps than a fear, experts say. But while a fear of tiny holes is bad, you know what's worse? A fear of being ostracized for having an old iPhone.

"This new iPhone Pro 11 Max really triggers my Trypophobia -- Fear of being called out for having a friggen iPhone 8 Plus ," one tweet reads.

This new iPhone Pro 11 Max really triggers my Trypophobia -- Fear of being called out for having a friggen iPhone 8 Plus.
— Amir Blumenfeld (@jakeandamir) September 10, 2019

But you may just learn something about yourself after hearing all this trypophobia talk.

"When you google trypophobia, and realize you have it," one person tweeted along with a photo of a guy having an aha moment.

When you google trypophobia and realize you have it pic.twitter.com/XTVlEFWGtz
— Ahriel Nari (@AhrielNari) September 10, 2019

Phones and phobias aren't a new combination. There's also nomophobia, or a fear of being without your device -- a very real concern at a time when so many of us are glued to our screens.

Preorders for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max start Friday, and the phones arrive in-store on Sept. 20. They start at $699, $999 and $1,099, respectively. Apple will continue to sell the iPhone XR for $599 and the iPhone 8 for $449.