This genius retractable-camera phone makes the dreaded bump disappear

This genius retractable-camera phone makes the dreaded crash-land disappear

(Image credit: Oppo)

Ahead of its annual Inno Day upshot, Chinese manufacturer Oppo has given us a 15-second glimpse of what it sees as the future of smartphone cameras.

In the clip, a "cocky-adult retractable camera" is seen popping out of the phone's trunk before retreating back within, in much the same way as the lens might on a traditional point-and-shoot camera. While there's a modestly raised photographic camera area on the back of the phone, we assume the retractable lens could eventually make the dreaded bump a affair of the past.

Near pop-ups are abrasive... Just not our cocky-developed retractable camera! 😉Explore more in INNO World on fourteen/12.#OPPOINNODAY2021 pic.twitter.com/33hgJSw8IfDecember 7, 2021

Come across more

More than moving parts audio like a bit of a durability nightmare, but the prune suggests that Oppo has 2 ideas in place to mitigate that. First, the phone in the prune is shown covered in h2o droplets, implying that it's a waterproof pattern. Secondly, the telephone is shown being dropped, only for the photographic camera to automatically retract ahead of bear upon. That kind of safety feature has been seen before on phones with pop-up selfie cameras, such as the OnePlus seven Pro.

The phone in the clip is a generic Oppo handset, merely the text on the camera module says it'southward a 1/1.56-inch sensor with a f/ii.iv aperture and a 50mm lens. That doesn't audio like a zoom lens, though a movable sensor could theoretically raise long-distance photography likewise.

As for when we'll run across this feature appearing in a commercially available smartphone, allowing us to really test information technology, you may non want to hold your breath. At last year's Inno Day, Oppo debuted a concept roll-up smartphone, and the device is even so yet to meet the lite of 24-hour interval.

Still, it will be interesting to hear more about this innovation and what Oppo sees as the key advantages at the consequence, which is scheduled to take identify Dec. 14 and 15. Other products teased include the company's first always Neural Processing Unit and a fix of smart spectacles.

We've developed a cut-edge neural processing unit (NPU) called the MariSilicon 10. Tin can you guess what information technology does? 😉Tune in to #OPPOINNODAY2021 to find out! 🤪 pic.twitter.com/BbECacK70sDecember 8, 2021

In the more than immediate future, Oppo has already confirmed that its next flagship will be one of the first phones to benefit from Qualcomm'south new Snapdragon viii Gen 1 chipset. While the company didn't say what grade the handset will take, it's probable to be the Oppo Observe X4 Pro, a follow upward to March's Oppo Detect X3 Pro. The few leaks and rumors doing the rounds suggest the handset might also feature a QHD brandish, 12GB RAM and 80W charging.

Freelance correspondent Alan has been writing well-nigh tech for over a decade, roofing phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his always-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.