TL; DR
- Oppo has introduced a new generation of under-display selfie camera technology.
- The technology allows for a much sharper screen, including the area above the camera.
- The manufacturer says it has also implemented several algorithms to reduce blurring and glare.
Oppo was one of the first brands to showcase selfie cameras under the display on smartphones and unveiled their take on the technology in late 2019. Since then, we’ve seen ZTE launch two devices with this technology, while Samsung tends to offer the same soon, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 as well.
Now Oppo has taken another step closer to a commercial product by unveiling its next-generation selfie camera technology under the display. The Chinese manufacturer says it has fixed issues related to inconsistent screen quality in the area above the camera, poor image quality due to the screen blocking the camera, and more.
A sharper display
One of the biggest challenges with under-display selfie cameras is that screens can’t be too pixel-dense, as light still has to fit between the pixel gaps and hit the camera below. We’ve seen some phones have fewer pixels in the screen area above the camera, but this can make it look cloudy.
However, Oppo has shrunk the size of the pixels on the display without reducing the number of actual pixels. This enables a 400 PPI display, even in the area above the camera.
Another major hardware tweak is that the brand has replaced traditional screen wiring with thinner, more transparent wiring. This should result in “much finer display quality with a smoother visual experience”.
Oppo says it also introduced a one-to-one pixel circuit (as opposed to a one-pixel two-pixel circuit now seen in the industry) for better screen accuracy, color, and brightness. In addition, it is said that several tweaks have resulted in a display with a 50% longer lifespan.
What about the picture quality?
Image quality is a big issue with under-display selfie cameras, as we’ve previously seen the ZTE Axon 20 deliver selfies similar to a camera with a smeared lens. But Oppo says it developed AI algorithms for HDR, white balance, and diffraction reduction to reduce issues like blurring and glare.
“Oppo also trained its AI diffraction reduction model on tens of thousands of images to control problems caused by diffraction at the light source so that users can capture clearer, more natural-looking images,” the company claimed. It also posted a sample image taken with a prototype phone that incorporates the new technology. Check it out below.
The sample looks solid, although we notice a bit of lens flare above. Hopefully this isn’t a constant problem in broad daylight. However, we assume that the actual test will take place in mixed light situations, as the ZTE Axon 20’s selfie camera then seems to disintegrate under the display.
Oppo did not announce any specific plans to launch a commercial phone using this technology, merely saying that it will continue to develop the hardware and algorithms. So you may not want to hold your breath for a start anytime soon.
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