Notch-Free Smartphones: Oppo and Xiaomi Tease Under-Display Selfie Cameras

[Tsing]

Smartphones without an unsightly front-camera notch are becoming a reality. While some phone makers have tackled the issue with mechanical methods (e.g., flip-up cameras), Oppo and Xiaomi have demonstrated an ideal solution: cameras that are hidden right under the screen.

In his weibo post earlier today, Oppo VP Brian Shen shared a short video clip of what appears to be a notch-free prototype smartphone lying on a desk. The camera app was launched, and despite the lack of a visible front-facing camera, the screen still seemingly showed a live view of the room's ceiling. Just to add credibility to the video, the demonstrator also hovered a finger over where the camera is supposedly hidden.

The quality of under-display cameras isn’t comparable to normal cameras, but Oppo suggests there will be plenty of progress made on that front. Xiaomi flaunted its own under-display camera shortly after Oppo did, giving even more credibility to the concept.

Well, it didn't take long before Xiaomi responded with its own under-display camera demo. The company's president, Lin Bin, shared a video clip that was allegedly shot last month, in which an under-screen camera was added to a Mi 9 prototype. "No hole, no notch, no pop-up camera." But again, there's no mention of a launch date.

 

[Peter_Brosdahl]

Cool stuff. There's not many new takes on cell phones I like but this has some promise. I can think of pro's and con's for it but overall I like the direction.

 

[bbenz3]

Since I want a selfie camera for the two or three times a year I use it but otherwise want it out of the way I welcome this possibility. I don't think I'll upgrade anytime soon but definitely like where many of the phones are currently going with the exception of price points.