Both Oppo and Xiaomi just demoed under-screen selfie cameras

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It seems that the phone manufacturers never sleep, as both Oppo and Xiaomi just demoed a new way to hide the selfie camera – underneath the screen.

While these are still early prototypes, the technology looks promising – as long as a way to get the same image quality as uncovered cameras can be found.

Do we really need to hide the selfie camera?

With mobile phone manufacturers on the quest for true edge-to-edge screens, finding a space to fit the all-important selfie camera can be tricky. First, there was the notch, which had the unintended effect of giving your smartphone horns. Pop-up cameras of various types have also been tried, and other through-screen options.

Oppo-sition?

Hiding the camera underneath the screen is a new development, and just look at how magnificent it is on this model from Oppo:

While there are scant details, Oppo’s VP Brian Shen also cautioned to not get overexcited: “At this stage, it’s difficult for under-display cameras to match the same results as normal cameras, there’s bound to be some loss in optical quality.”

Xiaomi’s turn

And here, from Xiaomi, where the camera module appears to have been placed underneath the OLED panel of the handset.

It seems that Xiaomi has figured out a way for the OLED panel of the screen to allow light to pass through. Back in November of last year, the company patented a similar system. Does that mean that Xiaomi’s under-screen camera is ready for the market?

Whenever the new under-screen tech makes it to market, it’ll be great to have an option that doesn’t either have an unsightly notch or use moving parts that introduce more potential failures.

What do you think? Interested in this under-OLED camera technology? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.