Xiaomi's new under-display camera could make the iPhone 13 look lame

Xiaomi'southward new under-display photographic camera could brand the iPhone thirteen look lame

(Paradigm credit: Ice Universe)

Apple tree might be planning a smaller notch on the iPhone thirteen, if recent reports are to be believed, only Android makers are increasingly turning to under-display camera tech to eliminate the need for anything to firm the front camera — fifty-fifty a punch-hole cutout. And the side by side major telephone to adapt such a feature could be the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4.

Noted leaker IceUniverse, who has correctly reported on many smartphone leaks in recent years, tweeted this week that the Mi Mix 4 will completely obscure the camera beneath the screen, and that it will "not be visible to the naked eye."

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Xiaomi spotlighted the technology behind the feature back in 2019, showing how a unique third-generation nether-display photographic camera could essentially peek through the display'due south subpixel arrangement to capture calorie-free. The house claimed at the fourth dimension that an nether-display photographic camera allowed for clear photos from the front shooter without disrupting the screen in any way.

In terms of the appearance of UPC, the upcoming MIX4 volition be better, and traces of UPC will non be visible to the naked eye. picture show.twitter.com/2d3nihemGRJuly 7, 2021

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The previous Mi Mix 3 model took its ain unique approach to obscure its front end-facing cameras: the back of the telephone could slide upwardly to reveal the hidden selfie cameras. Much like the pop-upward camera module seen in phones similar the OnePlus 7 Pro, it was a neat innovation that didn't broadly catch on beyond the industry.

The first phone to feature the an under-display photographic camera, last year's mid-range ZTE Axon twenty 5G, wasn't a mind-blowing handset — and the selfies couldn't match up to the Google Pixel 4a 5G. Still, information technology was a very cool party trick, and performance is sure to meliorate as the engineering matures across the industry.

Samsung'south upcoming Milky way Z Fold 3 foldable smartphone may also have a xvi-megapixel nether-display camera, if rumors are accurate. Still, purported renders of the telephone shared by reliable leaker Evan Blass suggest that it won't be likewise-hidden as the rumored Mi Mix 4 nether-display camera.

All the same, given that nosotros are comparison unconfirmed reports and purportedly leaked renders, all of this really is merely speculation at this point. We can't exist sure whether the reported specs will actually exist reflected in the shipping versions of the phones or if the images are legitimate, although the leakers in question have been repeatedly cited for their correct reports over the years.

When compared to the upcoming iPhone 13, Xiaomi'due south approach makes Apple'southward shrunken-down notch feel giant by comparison. With the iPhone thirteen, Apple reportedly has moved the ear slice to the upper part of the bezel, the front end-facing photographic camera has moved to the left and Face ID sensors could run across a 50% shrinkage.

That's certainly a smaller notch, just it doesn't quite compare to no notch at all. Granted, information technology'south uncertain if Xiaomi's under-display camera will accept the chops to friction match Apple'southward extensive Confront ID arrangement.

iPhone 13 notch vs iPhone 12 — (Image credit: DuanRui)

In addition to an nether-display camera, Xiaomi Mi Mix iv rumors suggest the powerful new Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Plus will ability the telephone. You besides could get incredibly fast 120W wired charging and 80W wireless charging capabilities. Xiaomi has previously demonstrated 80W wireless charging engineering science.

Information technology'due south unclear whether the rumored Mi Mix 4 or other upcoming Xiaomi phones will be released in the United States, though information technology seems unlikely, given Xiaomi's by reluctance to practice business in this land.

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Andrew Hayward is a author and editor based in Chicago. His piece of work covering tech, crypto, games, and esports has appeared in more than 100 publications around the world, including Polygon, Rolling Stone, Decrypt, and Stuff. He has covered cryptocurrency extensively since 2019, including coins, crypto games, and NFTs, and interviewed many creators and prominent figures in the infinite. He has too personally invested in several coins and currently holds less than 1 BTC, 2 ETH, and 700 ADA, along with smaller amounts of other coins.