It seems like manufacturers are favouring towards punch-hole cutouts and even under-display cameras for a near seamless full-screen smartphone experience. OPPO, on the other hand, appears to be continuing to innovate the pop-up camera approach in a new patent.
According to Tiger Mobiles, a new OPPO pop-up camera patent was found in the CNIPA (China National Intellectual Property Administration) database submitted in September 2019, which was recently authorised by the administration. What’s unique about this pop-up camera is that it’s mounted on the side, rather than the traditional placement of being on top of a smartphone.
The design allows the camera to sit flush with the back of the phone when inactive. Interestingly, the module is placed above two other rear cameras, where the main sensor is often situated. In the artwork showcasing the phone’s rear, the back of the pop-up camera appears to have an “R” symbol which we’re uncertain for what it’s supposed to represent. It may point to a possible OPPO R phone, but the series has been discontinued and replaced by the recent Reno brand. Then again, the symbol could indicate that the phone is recording a video.
Regardless, seeing that the pop-up camera technology and the smartphone featured are merely part of patent, it’s not clear if it will ever become an actual OPPO product in the near future. The new year may see new innovations and technologies introduced to smartphones, but it still has plenty of room and time to welcome upgrades to previous mechanisms such as pop-up and rotating cameras.
(Source: CNIPA via Tiger Mobiles.)
