Samsung Will Launch Phone with a Camera Hidden Under the Display in 2020
Either on the Galaxy Fold 2 or the Note 11
New rumors point at the next big thing from Samsung coming in 2020: a selfie camera that doesn’t need a notch or a punchole because it actually works from behind the display.
The Under Display Camera technology will either debut on the Galaxy Fold 2 or the Galaxy Note 11, according to the Korean electronic industry rag The Elec. Samsung will use a technology called Hole-in-Active-Area (HIAA) to enable the under display camera to look through a transparent display. The Elec claims that mass production of these displays with hidden cameras will start in 2020.
However, production yield may be initially limited, which will make it impossible to deploy it on a popular model. Instead, Samsung may choose to put it to work in the next generation of the Galaxy Fold. The current version has a huge notch placed in the upper right corner to hold the selfie camera. This change would make the design a lot cleaner. The other option, The Elec claims, is the Note 11.
- Check out the Galaxy S11 release date, rumored specs and latest leaks
Reliable Samsung rumorologist Ice Universe confirms that, while the UDC will debut in a Samsung phone next year, it won't be the upcoming Galaxy S11 (expected in February) or Galaxy Fold 2: “Samsung will launch an under display camera phone next year [N]ot S11, not Fold 2.” So perhaps that means the Note 11 — or something else.
For those seeking the perfect, notchless smartphone screen experience – prepare to be amazed. 📲You are taking a very first look at our under-display selfie camera technology. RT! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/FrqB6RiJaYJune 3, 2019
Under display cameras are not a new technology, though. It has already been announced and previewed by Xiaomi and Oppo, but these two Chinese phone manufacturers have not announced any incoming product.
Do you want a sneak peek at the future? Here you go...introducing you to Under-Display Camera technology!#Xiaomi #InnovationForEveryone pic.twitter.com/d2HL6FHkh1June 3, 2019
Samsung Display itself announced its intention to bring such a technology to market back in October 2018, at an OEM meeting at the Marriott Hotel in Shenzhen, China. In that event Samsung also previewed its Infinity displays with puncholes and waterdrop cameras.
Two years after it appears the Seoul-based manufacturer may be ready to finally deliver the perfect phone screen with no notch, waterdrop, puncholes, bezels or visual distractions of any kind.
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Jesus Diaz founded the new Sploid for Gawker Media after seven years working at Gizmodo, where he helmed the lost-in-a-bar iPhone 4 story and wrote old angry man rants, among other things. He's a creative director, screenwriter, and producer at The Magic Sauce, and currently writes for Fast Company and Tom's Guide.