Oppo filed for an interesting design patent with the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office). The patent was filed back in September 2017 and was published on 12th July 2018. The patent details a smartphone with a full-screen design and a secondary display on the back.
The design is fairly simple to understand and does not require any kind of expertise. Oppo’s design focusses on a small rectangular display on the top half of the smartphone. Judging by the size and placement of the display, it is likely that the display will be used for showing incoming calls and notifications. The display will be a touchscreen, thus allowing user interaction. The main advantage of using the second screen would be to take selfies using the rear camera. This allows Oppo to get rid of the front camera and enable a completely bezel-less experience up front. Front cameras are the major reason notches and bezels exist on the front.
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Vivo and Oppo both managed to eliminate the bezel by using motorized cameras. But they bring with them the disadvantage of moving parts. This design, on the other hand, does not have any moving parts and allows for a full-screen display without any compromises.
The practicality of this design can be questioned since the amount of screen on the back is not nearly enough to make sure a photo is being clicked properly. There are a few images that detail the placing of the cameras. Secondary displays are not something new. The Yotaphone brought with it an e-ink display on the back. Meizu also put one on the back of their Pro 7.
These are some really cool phones and deserve more attention that they have received. Oppo’s approach to getting rid of the front camera is quite innovative and might be the answer to our bezel/notch woes.
Selfie/Facetimne and notification screen, but it is a little to small. About half the height seems right. And no it will not use more power because it will shut off the screen that is not facing you.