ZTE's second-gen under-display selfie camera phone could have a 120Hz refresh rate, Face Unlock and more

ZTE has showcased its second-gen under-display camera (UDC) technology at MWC Shanghai 2021. The OEM has unveiled a number of enhancements associated with this update, which apparently include support for a 120Hz refresh rate across the entire panel in question, something absent from the Axon 20 5G.

That phone's successor might also benefit from an active UDC display portion with a pixel density of 400 ppi, whereas the part of the Axon 20's screen overlaying its own front-facing camera was just 200 ppi. Whether this upgrade can improve its next generation's selfie performance or not remains to be seen, however.

Nevertheless, ZTE is confident that this upcoming concealable shooter will be capable of much more. For example, the OEM now asserts that its second-gen UDC will support biometrics that will be advanced and secure enough to warrant authorizing payments, not to mention device unlocking.

This "3D structured light technology" might also be powerful enough for AR applications such as simulations and modeling. These new uses for a UDC were demonstrated in a mobile device live at the Shanghai conference.

However, as it was only shown from the front, its status as a possible Axon 30-series device can't be confirmed. That might require at least a hint of this upcoming phone's rumored SIM card-shaped rear camera module, which may, moreover, house a groundbreaking 200MP sensor.

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