A patent filed by Vivo that recently surfaced online reveals a unique smartphone design with four front-facing cameras in a different orientation. It appears that Vivo is not alone in this kind of design as a newly spotted patent reveals Oppo is onto some absurd camera style. Based on the patent, Oppo could release more interesting smartphones this year with its side-mounted pop-up selfie camera.
The trend in smartphone design right now includes smartphone makers creating full-screen smartphones. Over the years, we have seen different kinds of designs like punch holes, notches, pop-ups, and rotating cameras. However, a new patent filed by Oppo is offering another exciting take in smartphone and camera configuration.
Based on the recent patent filing spotted at the China National Intellectual Property Administration CNPA database, Oppo is considering a side-mounted pop-up camera. The sketches in the patent reveal a motorized camera module positioned on the right-hand side of the smartphone. The design allows the pop-up camera to sit flush in the back when not in use. Additionally, the patent reveals a couple of cameras under the pop-up camera mechanism along with the LED flash.
At his point, we do not know the logic behind this new camera configuration design. Some sites call the design impractical, but it is worth noting that Oppo has never shied away from this kind of design choice. Perhaps, the Chinese company would like to simplify the manufacturing process of the camera module since this design allows for the creation of a single unit.
The Oppo patent reveals that aside from the odd camera placement, everything else seems standard. The patent also shows a USB Type C port at the bottom part alongside a headphone jack and speakers. Practically, a selfie camera mounted sideways make little sense, although it might be handy when taking selfies in landscape orientation.
Oppo might be considering that this design could save some space at the top of the smartphone for some other hardware integration. But, a side-mounted pop-up selfie camera could also make Oppo smartphones stand out from its rivals. For now, this is just a patent, and it is in no way an indication that this camera configuration will be available in future Oppo smartphones.
Additionally, tech companies like Oppo have a habit of filing patents that, most of the time, do not see fruition and remain patents. Some of these patents make it to the development and production line up to the consumers, but others do not see the light. But it is interesting to know that Oppo is looking into this kind of design, something we have not seen in any smartphones available in the market.
