Oppo foldable phone with pop-up camera shown in patent

Back in February, we got to see several folding phones and among Samsung and Huawei’s flaghips, a less prominent foldable prototype was showcased by Oppo. With Samsung’s Galaxy Fold being delayed and no word on Huawei’s Mate X it seems like foldable phones took another setback, but they are undoubtedly a question of when rather than if.

Oppo prototype folding phone

Back in October 2018, Oppo filled a patent for its own foldable phone with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) and the very same patent was published recently. Alongside a brief overview of the device we are treated to several design sketches and full color renders. The biggest novelty of the foldable phone seems to be its pop-up camera which allows for a more uniform design without obtrusive bezels. This approach would allow you to take photos in both folded and unfolded forms.

New folding phone patent renders

Oppo’s approach seems to be in line with that of its prototype device as the screen folds outwards. The hinge of the phone provides a rigid support and the renders also reveal the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack. As this is only a patent, we do not have any specs and given the pessimistic view of Oppo’s VP Brian Shen on the benefit of foldable phones we probably won’t see the device in its final version any time soon.

Source | Via (in Dutch)