ZTE Axon 20 5G is the first smartphone featuring an under-display camera

While it's a device we aren't sure will ever make its way to this side of the world, the ZTE Axon 20 5G with its under-display selfie camera is the kind of device we want to see more. The Chinese company beat its competition to the punch by being the first to sell a smartphone with an under-display camera for RM2,198 (around CA$422) in China.

ZTE claims to have achieved this feat using five "core technologies," including special materials, dual-control chip, unique driver circuits, the special pixel matrix, and the in-house selfie algorithm. The company uses high transparency material composed of new organic and inorganic films to improve light input to the 32-megapixel front camera. 

A built-in, independent, dual-control chip and integrated driver circuits allow "colour synchronization" between the camera and the display. Android Police points out makes it seem like the selfie camera captures images between the PWM flashes of the 6.92-inch FLD+ OLED screen. Simultaneously, that is paired with a specific matrix design and specialized software for the front-facing camera. Of course, these are one of those things that you'll have to see to believe.

ZTE continues with the whole in-display theme by putting the fingerprint sensor and speakers under the display.

Its rear camera setup includes a 64-megapixel primary lens, 8-megapixel wide-angle sensor, 2-megapixel macro, and 2-megapixel depth lenses.

Performance-wise, the Axon 20 5G is somewhere in the mix with the OnePlus Nord and Moto Edge with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor, Android 10, 6GB/8GB of RAM, 128GB/256GB of expandable storage, and 4,220mAh battery that supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+. The phone comes in purple, orange, blue, and black.