In January this year at the CES 2020, OnePlus announced the Concept One smartphone which is equipped with a rear glass panel that has electrochromic technology in order to hide the rear cameras. The Reno 5 Pro+ 5G that was launched recently also has electrochromic technology on the rear panel.
There are indications that the technology may become a new trend in the mobile phone circle next year. According to noted tipster Digital Chat Station, the electrochromic technology which premiered on the Concept One and is going commercial on the Reno 5 Pro + will be utilized on many phones next year. The source tips mobile phone manufacturers such as Vivo, Xiaomi, Meizu, and Nubia as working on smartphones that will use electrochromic technology. Testing of this technology has reportedly started.
Electrochromic technology uses an invisible alloy called tungsten oxide. When tungsten oxide is applied to glass, the surface can conduct electricity, and the passed charge can change the composition of glass molecules, thereby generating a variety of gorgeous colors.
This technology allows users to customize the color of the back cover of the mobile phone and can prompt the user accordingly by changing the color of the back cover according to different application scenarios for functions such as incoming calls, message notifications, or health.
It is worth mentioning that, although the principle of electrochromic technology is complicated, it has minimal impact on the battery power of mobile phones. On the OnePlus Concept One, the electrochromic rear panel is monitored to consume only 2-3mAh of battery power in one hour.
At present, electrochromic technology has been widely used in buildings, airplanes, and automotive glass. It is believed that this technology will become one of the selling points of various mobile phone manufacturers in the near future.
UP NEXT: Samsung is being sued by Ericsson over patent licensing disputes
