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An in-screen iPhone camera is probably Apple’s long-term plan, as it works towards its ambition of an iPhone being effectively “one sheet of glass”. That possibility has drawn closer today as two of the early players both claim to have improved the nascent technology.
We saw a few first attempts over a year ago, but the results were not very impressive …
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The notch design that Apple first used in the iPhone X is currently needed because there is a lot of technology on the front of the device. Some of that can be moved around the top of the case, and Apple is working on integrating both Face ID and Touch ID into the display.
The biggest challenge, however, is the front camera. Apple prides itself on the quality of iPhone cameras, and putting one under a display is extremely tricky without sacrificing quality.
The problem is that the light has to pass through the spaces between the pixels, so you are effectively trying to shoot through a tight mesh screen. Some Android smartphone companies have tried it, with poor results.
Oppo does admit that the camera suffers from haze, poor dynamic range, and imprecise white balance.
One step closer to an iPhone camera integrated into the screen
Committed reports that two companies that have tried this before now claim to have taken the technology to the next level.
Despite much criticism of its first underscreen camera, ZTE has incorporated what it claims is an upgraded version into its new Axon 30 5G, which launched in China last week. Coincidentally, Oppo today unveiled its third-generation underscreen camera which, based on a sample shot it provided, appears to be surprisingly promising – no noticeable blur or glare.
Oppo claims several improvements.
Advances include addressing issues such as inconsistent display quality in the screen area above the camera below the screen, poor image quality caused by camera obstruction by the screen, as well as reliability and product life issues. With advancements in these areas, OPPO has been able to deliver an improved sub-screen camera solution that takes the full-screen end-to-end experience to new levels.
However, this is just another prototype, and the company has so far only shown us one photo in less than challenging circumstances, with the subject in the shade despite some sun above it. (which causes reflections).
Apple won’t adopt this technology until the results are virtually indistinguishable from existing iPhone front cameras, with a hole-punch display as the likely next step.
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