Oppo patent shows a dual pop-up camera module with upward-facing cameras

At a closer look in the patent, it is seen that the pop-up module doesn't have any camera sensors at all. Instead, the two camera sensors are inside the body of the headset and are pointed upwards towards the pop-up module.

Oppo pop-up camera patent render. (Lets Go Digital)

Oppo recently revealed its foldable smartphone during CES 2021 in January. However, it already seems to be working on a new form factor that has a pop up camera but facing upwards. Oppo is not new to using pop-up cameras in phones. For instance, in 2018 when Find X launched, we saw a periscope pop up camera. Similarly, in 2019 the company introduced a shark fin camera in Reno series. However, according to a patent found by Lets Go Digital website, the company is working on a smartphone that has a unique pop up design. Posted by the World Intellectual Property Office in October last year, the patent shows that the pop up mechanism has dual sensors but none of them are facing you.

At a closer look in the patent, it is seen that the pop-up module doesn't have any camera sensors at all. Instead, the two camera sensors are inside the body of the headset and are pointed upwards towards the pop-up module.

So, this raises a question that what exactly does the module include? According to the patent, it has been revealed that the housing includes two moving prisms that are able to point forwards or backwards. This means that you might be able to use the same camera for both selfies and standard rear camera shots.

Not sure which
mobile to buy?

Oppo pop-up camera patent render. (Lets Go Digital)

Oppo pop-up camera patent render. (Lets Go Digital)

Oppo recently revealed its foldable smartphone during CES 2021 in January. However, it already seems to be working on a new form factor that has a pop up camera but facing upwards. Oppo is not new to using pop-up cameras in phones. For instance, in 2018 when Find X launched, we saw a periscope pop up camera. Similarly, in 2019 the company introduced a shark fin camera in Reno series. However, according to a patent found by Lets Go Digital website, the company is working on a smartphone that has a unique pop up design. Posted by the World Intellectual Property Office in October last year, the patent shows that the pop up mechanism has dual sensors but none of them are facing you.

At a closer look in the patent, it is seen that the pop-up module doesn't have any camera sensors at all. Instead, the two camera sensors are inside the body of the headset and are pointed upwards towards the pop-up module.

So, this raises a question that what exactly does the module include? According to the patent, it has been revealed that the housing includes two moving prisms that are able to point forwards or backwards. This means that you might be able to use the same camera for both selfies and standard rear camera shots.

It is not for sure if the two sensors will be ultra-wide or wide-angle. According to the Lets Go Digital website, the setup could also result in easy clicking of 360-degree photos by letting them rotate the phone 180-degrees.

The filing, in addition, talks about several ways in which the entire mechanism can be operated. This includes usage of side button to switch between selfie and standard modes.

Motorized mechanisms and pop-up cameras are not new as we have seen them in the likes of Samsung Galaxy A80 and Asus Zenfone series. However, it's unclear whether Oppo's new tech will be durable enough or not. It's needless to say that this is still a patent and nothing more than just a mere idea. We may or may not see such handset coming out anytime soon.