Front cameras remain a problem when it comes to full-screen devices. Over the years, manufacturers have tried several ways to get around it, but OnePlus' new patent (via LetsGoDigital) may be the best yet.

Instead of relying on pop-up, hole-punch, or in-display cameras, OnePlus has designed a camera small enough to fit within the phone's bezel.

Mounting a camera in the bezel is nothing new, as it was common in the days before full-screen phones. The key difference here, however, is that the hypothetical phone in the patent still has the same ultra-thin bezel as other OnePlus phones. Furthermore, apparently this design is cheaper than drilling camera holes in the display itself.

This is also very simple, since the design involves drilling a hole in the bezel and covering it with a transparent plate. And bingo. The camera is inside the bezel, so you can enjoy an unobstructed full display without any fancy gimmicks to hide the camera: no pop-ups like the OnePlus 7 Pro, no under-display camera like the ZTE Axon 20 5G, no Samsung Galaxy S 21, and no holes in the screen like the Samsung Galaxy S 21.

OnePlus' patent also claims other advantages, such as a larger screen-to-body ratio, and that this design is highly reliable. Another benefit is lower production costs and higher yields, but it is not clear whether the savings will be passed on to customers; given that OnePlus' flagships already tend to be inexpensive, it may be easier to keep costs down as other specs improve.

The only question is when OnePlus will incorporate this technology into its phones. Patents are not always used, but let's hope this case is a little different. After all, if the design is cheaper and easier to implement, there is no reason for OnePlus to keep the hole-punch camera around for much longer.

It is unlikely that this will be a feature of the OnePlus 9 series. Considering that the patent was published on February 4 and the OnePlus 9 is scheduled to arrive in March, all timelines are a little too close together. The OnePlus 9 will also feature the same display as the OnePlus 8T, which features a prominent camera hole.

A OnePlus 9T or OnePlus 10 seems likely, but there are no guarantees. Let's hope OnePlus doesn't neglect the speaker at the top by making room in the bezel for the front camera.