Xiaomi could beat iPhone 12 and Galaxy Note 20 with this breakthrough

Xiaomi could vanquish iPhone 12 and Galaxy Note xx with this breakthrough

(Image credit: LetsGoDigital)

While the iPhone 12 and Galaxy Note 20 will exist two of the most heady phones released in the second half of this year, both are expected to keep a notch of some kind on the front of the display to brand room for the selfie camera.

But Xiaomi's latest patent application points to it releasing a device with a feature neither Apple nor Samsung tin match.

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The patent was found by LetsGoDigital, who then brought the illustrations to life with the renders you encounter here. Information technology shows how a smartphone like Xiaomi's new Mi ten would await and work with its front camera built underneath the display, eliminating the need for any kind of notch.

Nether normal circumstances, the phone looks like it doesn't have any front camera at all. Still, when you lot open the Camera app or some other app that requires the forepart camera, role of the screen is turned off, allowing the camera beneath to have pictures through the transparent pixels.

We've already seen Xiaomi (and fellow Chinese smartphone maker Oppo) show this technology in practice already. That was in June final year, except back then Xiaomi's notchless concept, posted on Twitter, had the whole top portion of the screen switch off, while this patent but shows a tiny waterdrop-style notch containing the photographic camera.

Do yous want a sneak peek at the future? Here y'all go...introducing yous to Nether-Display Photographic camera technology!#Xiaomi #InnovationForEveryone pic.twitter.com/d2HL6FHkh1June three, 2019

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There is one big problem with placing the camera under the screen: light intake. Since the display between the outside world and the camera absorbs some of the light that would unremarkably enter the photographic camera sensor, images taken on ane of these phones could end upward looking very dark. There are ways around this, such as adjusting the size of the sensor, increasing its sensitivity, or some kind of software postal service-processing prepare. Merely information technology will exist interesting to see if Xiaomi would exist able to evangelize great quality photos with this design.

The iPhone 12 and Galaxy Annotation xx, with their notch and punch-hole selfie cameras respectively, will launch towards the end of this year. Assuming no coronavirus-linked disruptions spoil their plans, Samsung will release the Annotation 20 effectually Baronial, while Apple will launch the iPhone 12 in September, although the iPhone 12 Pro Max may come after. Xiaomi already launched its Mi x flagship back in March, also using a dial-hole display.

Xiaomi has a history of releasing improved 'T' versions of its phones between its major yearly upgrades, so possibly a Mi 10T or Mi 10T Pro handset released later this year could be the first commercial phones with nether-display cameras. Otherwise, nosotros may have to wait until adjacent year for Oppo's next handset, or for Samsung's Galaxy S30, tipped to exist the Korean company's beginning notchless phone.

Richard is a Tom's Guide staff writer based in London, covering news, reviews and how-tos for phones, gaming, sound and any else people demand communication on. Following on from his MA in Magazine Journalism at the University of Sheffield, he'south also written for WIRED U.Thousand., The Annals and Creative Bloq. When not at work, he'due south likely thinking about how to brew the perfect cup of specialty java.