The concept of a smartphone with the under-display camera (UDC). Yay or nay? (Image via PhoneArena)

Samsung to produce smartphone with under-display camera

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Business & Industry
Electronic Device
Oct 20, 2019
2488
It is time for a clear front display for Samsung. Looking at 2020, the tech firm from South Korea (S. Korea) expects to produce an under-display camera (UDC). Yang Byung-duk, vice president of Samsung’s mobile communication R&D group, said in March that it is Samsung’s goal to get rid of the camera hole.

With the UDC, Samsung aims to produce what-to-be a 100% screen-to-body ratio type of smartphone.

As early as October, Samsung targets to try out the UDC in its smartphones. If the production goes well, in 2020, about 30,000 smartphones will feature UDC according to the information from a tech page in S. Korea, The Elec.

For the 2019 edition, Samsung uses what is called Hole in Active Area or HIAA1. HIAA1 makes a punch hole in the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) for the camera on the front display of the current Samsung’s flagships.

For UDC, Samsung will use HIAA2, the successor of HIAA1, and it is being tested in this month. It works by covering the punch hole with a transparent layer to make it as if it is under the display, just like its name. This transparent layer will work ordinarily with the front display.

Nonetheless, Samsung is also facing a drawback due to the transparent layer. The OLED panel reduces image quality, something Samsung so proudly tries to enhance as its best gimmick. It was caused by the light distortion.

Reportedly, Samsung is working to tackle the issue. First, it is looking for a way to make the OLED panel really, really transparent. Then, an algorithm is required to reduce the light distortion.

Regarding what smartphones to use UDC, it is still unclear. Many said that it will be implemented in the S11 flagship. However, Samsung already thought further about it. The S. Korean tech giant wants it to be featured in Samsung Galaxy Fold’s successor, Galaxy Fold 2.

UDC is expected to be introduced by the first quarter of 2020. Still, a long time to go, and still a spacious room for UDC to be developed. One thing for sure: 2020 will be the year of UDC. Recently, Chinese gadget manufacturers, Oppo and Xiaomi, revealed the plan to feature UDC in their next units.

The downside is that UDC will be the newest technology which means bigger, triple or quadruple digits on the price tag. In other words, you want to experience UDC? Prepare your wallet.

Source: https://bit.ly/2Butgbu

Business , Technology , Gadget , Smartphone , S.Korea , Samsung , UDC , 2020