Oppo shows concept smartphone with front camera behind the screen

Oppo has shown a concept smartphone during the MWC Shanghai where the front camera is behind the screen. This works through the use of a relatively transparent panel, a custom camera module, algorithms and a separate pixel structure.

This front camera, hidden behind the screen, gets enough light through a number of adjustments. Engadget China was present at the presentation and writes that the screen functions normally without using the camera. The piece of the smartphone screen at the top in the middle, where the front camera sensor is located, seems a bit grainier under some circumstances, although it would still be touch sensitive. Oppo previously announced that a screen was used that is transparent for a small part. A redesigned pixel structure is also applied. This technique is also used for optical fingerprint scanners behind the screen. After all, these are also cameras, although the image quality is unimportant.

In addition, according to Oppo, a modified camera module is required, which involves a larger sensor with larger pixels and the use of a relatively large aperture opening. This should lead to a relatively large amount of light falling on the sensor, but the larger pixels automatically mean a lower resolution. The company says it applies multiple algorithms so that the end result is comparable to other devices. Engadget made a quick comparison and states that there is room for improvement in terms of brightness and color fidelity. In addition, Oppo is said to have already applied an algorithm for blurring, HDR and white balance removal in the compared photos.

The technology to place the front camera behind the screen was part of a demonstration by Oppo. It is still unclear when this will actually be applied in a commercially released smartphone. Xiaomi is also working on this technology and this manufacturer is also unknown when it will release a phone with an under-display selfie camera.

Oppo did something like that earlier this year. It presented a concept for the periscopic camera for smartphones at the end of February and two months later announced the first model with that technology, the Reno 10x Zoom.

Photo of Engadget China, showing a ‘pixelated’ part of the screen at the top center, which is visible in certain circumstances.