Forget OnePlus 9 — OnePlus working on full-screen phone without a punch hole

oneplus bezel camera patent
(Image credit: LetsGoDigital)

When it comes to full-screen devices, the front camera still remains a problem. Over the years manufacturers have tried several ways to get round it, but a new OnePlus patent (via LetsGoDigital) could be the best one yet.

Rather than relying on a pop-up, hole-punch, or in-display camera, OnePlus has designed a camera that’s so small it can live inside a phone’s bezel.

Having a camera in the bezel is nothing new, since that’s where they used to live in the days before full-screen phones. But the key difference here is that the hypothetical phone in the patent still has the same ultra-thin bezel you’d expect from any other OnePlus phone. What’s more, apparently this design works out to be cheaper than punching a camera hole in the display itself.

It’s quite simple, too, since the design involves punching a hole in the bezel and covering it with a transparent plate. Then, bingo. The camera is in the bezel, and you get to enjoy a full, uninterrupted display without any fancy gimmicks to hide the camera away. No pop-ups like the OnePlus 7 Pro, no under-display camera like the ZTE Axon 20 5G, and no hole punches in the screen like the Samsung Galaxy S21.

OnePlus’s patent also claims that other benefits include a greater screen-to-body ratio, and that this design has high levels of reliability. It also benefits from low production costs and high yield, though whether any savings would be passed onto the customer isn’t clear. Considering how OnePlus flagships already tend to be on the cheaper side, this could easily help keep costs down as other specs improve.

The only question is if and when OnePlus might implement this tech in its phones. Patents don’t always end up being used, but let’s hope that this case is a little bit different. After all, if the design is cheaper and easier to implement, then there’s no reason why OnePlus should continue with the hole-punch camera for very long.

It’s not likely that this will be a feature on the OnePlus 9 range. The patent was released on February 4, and considering the OnePlus 9 is expected to arrive sometime in March, all the timelines are a little bit too close. The OnePlus 9 is also set to come with the same display as the OnePlus 8T, which featured a prominent camera hole.

The OnePlus 9T or OnePlus 10 both seem like more likely candidates, though there’s obviously no guarantee.  Let’s just hope that, by making space in the bezel for the front camera, OnePlus doesn’t neglect the top speaker.

TOPICS
Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

Latest in OnePlus Phones
Oppo Find N5 from the top, partly open
OnePlus Open 2 could have been the best foldable of the year — so why is it not happening?
OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R
OnePlus reportedly developing massive smartphone batteries — what we know
Oppo Find N5 partly open, from behind
We won't be getting the OnePlus Open 2 this year
OnePlus 13 back
Major OnePlus leak claims OnePlus 13 Mini is actually OnePlus 13T — here's the specs
OnePlus 13R main interface
I left my OnePlus 13R alone for a week — and I was shocked at what happened when I returned
oppo find 5 teaser images showcasing thickness
OnePlus Open 2 images reveal just how thin this foldable phone could be
Latest in News
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Thursday, March 27 (#655)
The Signal app logo displayed on an iPhone, with a screenshot of the Signal app in use displayed on a monitor in the background.
Signal — everything you need to know about the app at the center of the group chat scandal
Robert Downey Jr. revealed as Doctor Doom for "Avengers: Doomsday"
Marvel reveals 'Avengers: Doomsday' casting — the latest updates and every actor
Wyze Cam v3
Wyze adds AI-powered filter to its security cameras to cut down on notifications that are “no big deal”
Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) as Invincible in his blue suit during a scene from "Invincible" season 3 on Prime Video.
'Invincible' season 4 release window just announced — here's when it's coming
Microsoft Copilot app running on a phone with Microsoft logo in background
Microsoft 365 Copilot debuts new research tools for work: here's what that means