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Front Camera Lens on Future iPhones Could Be Hidden With Special 'Pure Black' Coating
iPhone camera lens supplier Largan Precision is developing a special black coating for front-facing smartphone camera lenses, according to Jeff Pu, an analyst at Chinese investment firm GF Securities.
Pu's research note, shared by Taiwanese publications Economic Daily News and MoneyDJ, claims that one or two smartphone makers could adopt the technology as early as 2020. Given that Largan already has a relationship with Apple, it is speculated that the special coating could be applied to future iPhones.
A translated version of the Economic Daily News report says the special coating would allow the front camera lens to "completely disappear." A translation of the MoneyDJ report says the coating will be "pure black," eliminating the "small spots" like those visible in the notch on the iPhone X and newer.
The front camera lens already blends into the notch pretty well on iPhones, but it is visible from certain angles and lighting conditions. The special coating would presumably make the lens completely invisible to the eye.
Apple design chief Jony Ive has long dreamed of an iPhone that resembles a single sheet of glass, and hiding the front camera lens would be yet another step towards that goal, even if it sounds like an insignificant change. This is the first time we've heard this rumor, however, so treat it with some skepticism.
Pu's research note, shared by Taiwanese publications Economic Daily News and MoneyDJ, claims that one or two smartphone makers could adopt the technology as early as 2020. Given that Largan already has a relationship with Apple, it is speculated that the special coating could be applied to future iPhones.
A translated version of the Economic Daily News report says the special coating would allow the front camera lens to "completely disappear." A translation of the MoneyDJ report says the coating will be "pure black," eliminating the "small spots" like those visible in the notch on the iPhone X and newer.
The front camera lens already blends into the notch pretty well on iPhones, but it is visible from certain angles and lighting conditions. The special coating would presumably make the lens completely invisible to the eye.
Apple design chief Jony Ive has long dreamed of an iPhone that resembles a single sheet of glass, and hiding the front camera lens would be yet another step towards that goal, even if it sounds like an insignificant change. This is the first time we've heard this rumor, however, so treat it with some skepticism.
Tags: Jeff Pu, 2020 iPhones
[ 117 comments ]
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3 weeks ago
As long as there's a notch, is it really a problem that the camera is "visible from certain angles and lighting conditions"? I don't think so.
3 weeks ago
If he wants it to be a sheet of glass, you are going to have to hide the protruding rear camera.
3 weeks ago
If he wants it to be a sheet of glass, you are going to have to hide the protruding rear camera.
I'd much rather have no camera bump on the back than a hidden front camera.I'd be willing to bet you don't even have an iPhone with a notch, huh?
Not sure what this is supposed to mean. They stated they didn't like the notch, so it wouldn't be surprising if they didn't own an iPhone with a notch.
Are you saying if they had a phone with a notch they would like the notch?
3 weeks ago
Pretty misleading headline. Thought they were trying to get rid of the notch, but in reality it is just making the camera less sparkly.
3 weeks ago
Can never happen. There has to be a bezel or notch for cameras / sensors. No way around it.
Yeah, usually not a good idea to proclaim something in tech isn't possible. We always move forward.
3 weeks ago
Nice so you don’t know where the lens is to look into it. ****** idea imo
Well you'll know that it's...at the top of your phone...near the middle.
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