A potential next-gen Pocophone patent has a punch-hole selfie camera

The release of the Redmi K20 series has been the best indication to date that Xiaomi has discontinued its POCO brand, even though it was in its relative infancy. It had produced 1 phone, the F1. This 2018 phone, with its Snapdragon 845 and dual rear cameras at a relatively low cost, was quite popular at launch. However, as the K20s has been launched at comparable price-points, it may be that it has taken over where the F1 was obliged to leave off.

Now, however, there is a new hint that the F1 (also known as the Pocophone F1) may get a 2nd generation after all. A new patent, allegedly submitted to the World Intellectual Property Office's records on August 6, 2019, appears to show a phone that retains the F1's basic design while adding some distinctly 2019 tweaks.

The patent's images do indeed appear to depict an F1, if one that has grown at least 1 additional rear-camera lens. This is placed above a module that looks like the compound dual-camera-and-fingerprint-sensor central insert from last year. 

Xiaomi appears to have added a number of options for the front panel of this putative device patent. It could have a punch-hole selfie camera, which is pictured in either upper corner. Alternatively, there is a 3rd schematic in which this camera is in the midline, like that predicted for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.

All in all, should this patent turn out to be genuine, it is most plausible that it would be destined for a 'budget flagship' line such as the Pocophones. Xiaomi is also reported to have advanced designs for its more premium devices of the future in the works. They may include under-display selfie cameras, as well as more innovative dual punch-hole cameras. However, this new discovery cannot yet be taken as concrete evidence of any kind of POCO F2 as yet.