Who could even think that just within 20 years, mobile phones, particularly smartphones, will change our lives completely? From 2007 to now, it has evolved rapidly within a few years. From bulky Motorola DynaTAC to iPhone 1, manufacturers are updating smartphones displays day by day. And now it’s trying to shift to a full-screen version. So, you might not even see the camera on your next smartphone.
For several years now, phone companies have been trying to eliminate or minimize the bezel around the screen and create an edge-to-edge display. In addition, they have been attempting to use hole punches and pop-up cameras to optimize screen space. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the no-notch side or if you don’t mind the barren black patches. The full-screen era is coming.
Ideally, your smartphone should have a screen that reaches all four corners without interruption. Tech enthusiasts dream of seeing an under-display camera hidden under the screen. And now, it’s happening! Several brands, including Samsung, Xiaomi, ZTE, and Apple, have progressed with this technology. Still, they need to do more research and development. However, the question is, would it be worth it to sacrifice the quality of the front camera for a notch-less phone? And why do we not see it from flagship to mid-range smartphones?
Under Display Camera: What’s That?
Under-display cameras are hidden behind a smartphone’s display panel. One of the most prominent devices that features under-display cameras is Samsung’s latest smartphone Galaxy Z Fold 3. There is a 4MP sensor hidden underneath its large and folding display. Though ZTE sounds so new, many tech reviewers praised their under-display camera phones.
How Does It Work?
You’re likely wondering how the cameras produce images since they’re behind the screen. In essence, these devices contain displays inside displays. The manufacturer uses OLED or LED technology for the primary production, while a different type of glass is used for the camera cut-out underneath. This camera works like a fingerprint scanner, one of the most common methods of unlocking your smartphone.
Although the camera is not in use, these “holes” can still be seen during regular use. Usually described as a “blurrier patch” on the screen, it can be noticeable when watching full-screen content or playing games. However, companies are working on reducing their appearance. Now let’s check out some advantages of an under-display camera.
Advantages
An under-display camera will allow you to enjoy a genuinely bezel-less edge-to-edge full-view screen for content consumption. In addition, you will not need a notch with an under-screen camera. As a result, there will be no more obtrusive indents cutting into interfaces.
The mainly under-display camera is famous for two advantages. Firstly, there are fewer concerns about longevity, storage, and the possibility of thinner phones. And the second advantage is that this system is easier to implement with no moving parts. Like another side of the coin, an under-display camera also holds numerous problems. Let’s find out about them.
Disadvantages
Most tech experts find out that the image quality of an under-display camera isn’t entirely satisfactory because of its lack of light. The reason is that light must pass through the display to the sensor before capturing photos. And as a result, the flow of light is not ideal. To fix this, companies are working on improving display technology. Although companies claim their cameras are hidden, this has not always been the case. There is a small pixelated area on the screens of these phones that you might notice from certain angles or if you pay close attention. It will be interesting to see how annoying this partial visibility is.
Display panels are typically more scratch-prone than camera lenses. But what if the display is worn down or scuffed? Will it affect the camera’s performance? In this way, durability makes sense.
Final Say
Although impressive, this technology is yet far behind perfection. Samsung may produce decent images, but many reviewers have noted that the pictures have to go through a lot of image processing before they can be used. Under-display cameras produce inferior images compared to those taken with a standard selfie camera on a flagship smartphone. Although the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the most high-profile smartphone to adopt this new technology, it did not opt for an under-display camera as its primary front-facing camera. But it might take just a few years until under-display cameras are fully included in displays. We’ll have to wait and see.
