Oppo may launch the world's first phone with under-display camera on June 26

The Oppo RX17 Neo could be one of the firm's last to have a notch (Image Credit: TechRadar)

There could be an exciting new technology milestone just around the corner, after an image which heavily suggests Oppo will launch a smartphone with a camera built under the display appeared online.

According to an image posted on Weibo (a Chinese social network), Oppo is planning on launching a new handset on June 26 during MWC Shanghai. The artwork on the image appears to show a ring highlighting where the camera is placed below the screen.

If this is what Oppo is hinting at (if the poster itself is genuine), it would allow the phone to have an uninterrupted display with no notch, or punch-hole camera (like the Honor 20 and Samsung Galaxy S10), while also removing the need for a mechanically rising camera as found on the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom and OnePlus 7 Pro.

Whether or not the handset while be unveiled on June 26, and if it will actually be available to buy, is currently unknown.

Oppo could just show off the technology working on a demo device, or the handset may only get a limited release in certain markets. We'll have to wait and see what (if anything) is announced on stage.

We've seen this before

This isn't the first we've heard of the technology, as earlier in June, Oppo posted a short video showing off its in-display selfie camera working on a prototype device.

Oppo isn't the only manufacturer toying with this technology, and Chinese rival Xiaomi has also shown off its own under-display selfie camera.

It seems the technology is almost ready for commercial release, but if it does arrive this year expect a hefty price premium on the first handsets to use it - new technology isn't cheap.

Via MySmartPrice and Indiashopps

John McCann
Global Managing Editor

John joined TechRadar over a decade ago as Staff Writer for Phones, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He's interviewed CEOs from some of the world's biggest tech firms, visited their HQs and has appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC and BBC Radio 4. Originally specializing in phones, tablets and wearables, John is now TechRadar's resident automotive expert, reviewing the latest and greatest EVs and PHEVs on the market. John also looks after the day-to-day running of the site.