While Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 sometime next month, a new patent has just surfaced that reveals the possible design for a future foldable smartphone from the brand.

According to a LetsGoDigital report, the South Korean tech giant had filed a new patent with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office) earlier this year, which has recently been granted. The patent arrives with certain design sketches that depict a clamshell folding handset that houses a rotating camera on the hinge, which means it could be a future Galaxy Z Flip model. Notably, the patent focuses on the unique camera module of the smartphone. The module is capable of rotating upwards and backwards, which allows it to take images from different angles.

This would also mean that the camera module would be capable of taking both selfies and act as the primary rear shooter as well. The patent also reveals that this foldable smartphone also features a smaller external display, which would also help in taking selfies apart from just display notifications and other alerts when the device is folded. While the hinge rotating camera design is quite an interesting implementation of a camera module, housing a sensor on the hinge may also cause various issues as well.

The camera module appears to be too large and protrudes from the hinge. So, the device might not be able to lay flat on its back when unfolded and could be uncomfortable to hold as well. Another drawback could be with the design itself since Samsung aims at making the hinge and fold seamless. Thus, adding a camera system might work against the seamless design aesthetic the company has been working towards. Although, this is still just a patent and we have no way of knowing if the brand is actually working on such a device or just covering all bases.

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A Xiaomi patent has caught our eyes again, with this one showcasing an unique smartphone design. The patent images depict a foldable smartphone with a quad camera system that rotates forward for selfies and to the back for regular photography.

Xiaomi had filed the design patent for an inward bending phone in its home country of China. In the patent, the Chinese tech giant also put 48 images the showcase the handset. Similar to the Motorola Razr 2019, the device folds inwards like the flip phones, which were popular a decade ago. However, the inside mostly comprises of a display with narrow bezels on every side except the top.

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On top of the display, one can observe a noticeably large camera module. A quad camera setup is housed horizontally in this region, right above the receiver for calls. This quad camera module is also capable of rotating or twisting to face the other side. Notably, the image sensors are slightly raised over the body and the device folds from the middle of the display and not the overall length, allowing the camera system to go over the folded display rather than making space for it.

Hence, the camera system might still be usable despite the device being folded. Unfortunately, the patent description doesn’t reveal whether a secondary screen will also be implemented on the rear or any finer details. The hinge mechanism isn’t revealed particularly either but resembles the hideaway hinge found in the Galaxy Z Flip. At the moment, there is no confirmation is Xiaomi is actually working on the product or just covering all bases.

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(Via)

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A unique Xiaomi smartphone has surfaced online through a new patent application from the company. The design was spotted on China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and reveals a smartphone with a twisting camera, that acts as both the primary and selfie shooter.

Looking at the patent, it can be observed that the display panel of the Xiaomi smartphone comprises of two parts. This includes the bottom half is the larger portion, while the smaller half houses the camera module. The latter portion that has the camera module can be twisted, bringing the rear camera module to the front to act as a selfie shooter.

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The smaller half sits on the top region of the smartphone and can be turned around. While we have seen examples of rotating cameras that make up both the front and rear cameras of a device, this is still a unique and new concept. The twisting mechanism occurs horizontally, meaning it rotates on its own axis and is joined by a hinge mechanism at the bottom.

This design may also be another form of attempt from Xiaomi to reduce bezels, although it remains unclear whether the process is automated or manual. The patent application could just be Xiaomi’s attempt to cover all bases since the viability of the technology is still uncertain. So, only time will tell if the Chinese tech giant actually plans on developing such a device.

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(Via)

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Like expected, Xiaomi has announced a brand new 360° Rotating Mi Home White Smart Camera for 399 Yuan ($60). This is yet another addition to the company’s smart camera lineup which includes action cameras and surveillance cameras.

Thanks to its rotating design, the new camera boasts of the ability to take 360-degree panorama photos, along with 85-degree wide vertical viewing angle. This ensures that the camera covers a wide area for surveillance. Further, the Xiaomi 360° Mi White Smart camera comes with a large f/1.8 aperture lens. The camera can capture videos at a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080. There’s professional DSP noise reduction technology as well.

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If you are looking for a cheap smart camera which can rotate 360 degrees, the Xiaomi Mi White Smart camera can be yours for around $60. We expect the camera to hit third party retailers (at a slightly higher price tag) in the coming weeks, but if you are in China, you can get one as early as 10AM on July 25.

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Here, we go hands on with OPPO’s latest device, the OPPO N3. This 3999 RMB (654.21 USD) phone has an interesting design featuring a motorized camera and fingerprint scanner.

Appearance 

       In terms of appearance, the OPPO N3 actually looks pretty similar to its predecessor, the N1. Not only did the N1 have such a big screen, the rotating camera also took a lot of space, making it easier for users to hold the phone with one hand. To fix this, the screen size for the N3 was lowered from 5.9 inches to 5.5 inches.

The OPPO N3 also has a notification light bar at the bottom similar to the Sony LT26, although it has been hollowed out, replacing the LED notification light bar commonly used by Android phones.

Is a motorized rotating camera practical?

One of the benefits to having a motorized camera is that it allows the user to hold the phone more easily. Small-handed users of the OPPO N1 and N1 Mini would have to use their other hand to adjust the camera angle.        Another advantage to having a motorized camera is that after you place a camera in a stable position, it can automatically scan the entire landscape. This allows you to take great photos of places such as tall skyscrapers.

As you can see, having a motorized camera can be very helpful. You can also expand the field of view of the camera as well as track down objects. This camera, in particular, is a 16mp camera and has a 1/2.3 sensor. However, users can take 64mp panoramic shots with a camera like this.

How does the fingerprint sensor work? 

The OPPO N3’s fingerprint scanner is not the kind that you have to swipe your finger on to use. You can just press your finger on it like a button.

FPC provide sensor chip, algorithm provided by swedish company Precise Biometrics. Module(scanner), packing solution and related software service provided by Crucial Tech of Korea. I am equity investor.

Users can lock certain apps using the fingerprint scanner so that when you lend your phone to someone, access to certain apps is limited.

Overall, it’s a pretty interesting phone and is worth a look, especially if you are into photography.

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As the launch of OPPO’s latest flagship device nears (October 29), let us summarize what has been reported so far about the OPPO N3.

Specifications

In early September, it was reported that this device would use a VOOC charger which is 4 times as fast as a regular mobile cellphone charger. It was also reported that this phone will sport a 5.5-inch FHD screen and will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor. The phone’s chassis is said to be made of metal. It will also have a new cooling system called the “Ice Nest”

Fingerprint scanner and rotating camera

Perhaps the two biggest pieces of information about the OPPO N3 are that it will have a fingerprint sensor and a rotating camera. A fingerprint sensor is nothing new among Chinese smartphones as the Huawei Mate 7 has one. Recent photos show that the scanner will be located at the back of the phone. The OPPO N3 will also sport a rotating camera with 16mp.

Pre-sale cost

Recently, there were signs outside OPPO stores saying that they were accepting pre-orders of the OPPO N3 for 4298 RMB (702.18 USD) which is far more expensive than the OPPO Find 7.

What do you guys think?

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