OnePlus Nord macro close up of the battery logo

Credit: Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority

  • OnePlus has patented a way of tucking away the selfie camera in the bezel of a phone.
  • The company noted in a 23-page patent application that such a device will feature a high screen-to-body ratio.
  • It could be OnePlus’ latest attempt at making an interruption-free smartphone display.

OnePlus could be working on a way to eliminate punch-hole cutouts or notches on its smartphones, and no, we’re not talking about putting in a pop-up mechanism. Instead, the company seems to be working on a “display apparatus” that fits the selfie shooter within the thin bezels of a phone.

Folks over at LetsGoDigital spotted a patent document filed by OnePlus with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO). The 23-page documentation describes a OnePlus phone with an OLED display. A hole for the selfie camera is made on the top bezel covered with a “transparent cover plate.”

The patent application describes this display apparatus as having a “high screen-to-body ratio, low production cost, high yield, and high product reliability.”

oneplus smartphone camera in bezel

While under-display selfie cameras are where the industry is headed next, the technology is not quite ready to take off just yet. ZTE’s Axon 20 5G is a prime example of how reliable under-display cameras might still be a while away. Our readers are also of vary of buying early under-display camera phones.

Meanwhile, OnePlus’ patented solution seems like an effective way of creating an interruption-free display. However, since it’s just that, a patent, we’re unsure if the company is serious about commercializing the design. We’re certain that we won’t see anything like this on the OnePlus 9 series, given that leaked renders already show a punch-hole on the screen.

For now, all eyes are on OnePlus’ alleged tie-up with Hasselblad for its upcoming flagships. Whether or not this new selfie camera placement is on top of OnePlus’ priority list is anybody’s guess.