A new Xiaomi patent may take the main-camera selfie trend to a whole new level

The last few years have seen a range of innovative contrivances that deploy a smartphone's selfie functions without interrupting its display's edge-to-edge effect. However, a new approach to this problem apparently patented by Xiaomi goes beyond these beyonds. It essentially consists of a phone split into 2 parts, 1 of which can turn through 180 degrees relative to the other.

This part of the phone houses (surprise, surprise) its main cameras. Therefore, a user could twist this portion around to face them in order to take a selfie. Otherwise, the device as depicted in this new IP - approved by CNIPA on April 24, 2020 - looks fairly standard. It does have 1 more button than usual on one side, which may also be related to the use of this unique camera module.

This new concept is intriguing, although it may be as subject to potential mechanical failure as any other found in recent, real-world phones. However, its actual implementation may soon be rendered unnecessary on the advent of the under-display camera that may become a desirable spec in the phones of the future.