Xiaomi just patented a weird-looking inverted Notch
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Since notches first arrive back in 2017, smartphone brands have attempted a range of implementations ranging from wide ones to much subtler water drop alternatives. One thing that hasn’t been attempted, however, is an outward facing one. But Xiaomi’s latest patent suggests it could be working on one.
In what is presumably an attempt at creating a low-cost smartphone that also presents a notchless display, Xiaomi’s latest patent envisions a smartphone that features minimal bezels and a rather large hump on the very top of the device. This looks exactly like an inverted notch and is home to the in-ear speaker and two selfie cameras.
On more expensive devices such as the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, the Chinese brand has chosen to implement a slider design that hides the front-facing cameras and allows for an all-screen design. However, this comes at an added cost that most likely wouldn’t be financially viable in the low-end segment. The company is also rumored to be working on two flagships with pop-up cameras but, once again, this is a costly feature.
More often than not, patents are a good indication of what’s to come from smartphone brands in the future. But considering the very unusual design that is shown in the included sketches, it seems likely that this particular patent will never result in a production device.
Questions & Answers
Q.What is Xiaomi's new patent attempting to achieve?
What is Xiaomi's new patent attempting to achieve?
The patent appears to be an attempt to create a low-cost smartphone with a notchless display. It features minimal bezels and a large hump at the top of the device, which functions as an inverted notch.
Q.What features are located in this new inverted notch design?
What features are located in this new inverted notch design?
The new inverted notch design, visible as a large hump at the top of the device, is intended to house both the in-ear speaker and two selfie cameras, according to the patent.
Q.Why might Xiaomi be considering this unusual design instead of existing solutions?
Why might Xiaomi be considering this unusual design instead of existing solutions?
Xiaomi might be considering this design because current solutions like slider designs or pop-up cameras, used on more expensive devices, come at an added cost that would likely not be financially viable for the low-end smartphone segment.
Q.Does this patent suggest Xiaomi will definitely release a phone with this design?
Does this patent suggest Xiaomi will definitely release a phone with this design?
No, the article suggests it is unlikely this particular patent will result in a production device. While patents often indicate future plans, the design shown in the sketches is considered very unusual.
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