Video of modified Mi 9 with under-display camera aims to prove that Xiaomi is keeping up with the competition

We just reported about Xiaomi potentially leading the race to market a smartphone with an under-display camera thanks to details spotted in a patent. However, now we have an actual video of two Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphones being compared, and it appears one of them has a little secret to share. The Chinese manufacturer could already be prepared to unleash under-display camera technology if the clip is to be believed.

Of course, especially with Xiaomi and its well-known marketing misdirection, it’s important to retain some skepticism in regard to the content of this clip. But if everything on view is genuine, then Xiaomi seems to be at least a step ahead of Samsung and keeping up with Oppo. A big difference between the two Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphones is clear from the start; the right-hand side device has the familiar notch whereas its opposite number seems to sport a full-screen display.

The video, which was shared by noted leaker Ice universe and can be seen below, progresses to demonstrate that the Xiaomi Mi 9 smartphones are practically identical (apart from the notch). The user then turns her attention to the left-hand side device and selects the camera app, which shows the front-facing selfie camera has been chosen. But as there is no physical sensor apparently visible on the screen, it can be concluded that Xiaomi has successfully installed an under-display camera in the modified Xiaomi Mi 9.

Unsurprisingly, there are many doubters. Most were expecting Samsung to trail-blaze the way for under-display cameras, but the South Korean manufacturer seems to have been suspiciously quiet about the notch-terminating technology. It might be just Xiaomi showing off some very early-stage tech that will still require months of tweaking before it can turn up in a flagship like the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4. Regardless, this particular video reveal once again confirms Xiaomi as a leader of the pack when it comes to innovation.