The Oppo removable camera phone is the latest sign that the company keeps pushing smartphone design in unusual directions. Shortly after showing off the world's first rollable smartphone, Oppo has patented a handset whose entire camera module can detach from the body. Here is what the patent reveals and why it matters.
What the Oppo removable camera phone patent shows
The outline image of the phone appeared on the World Intellectual Property Office website, and 91Mobiles was first to make the listing public. Alongside the pictures, the patent application explains how the smartphone could work. The photos focus on the back panel, which carries a regular-looking camera module.
The twist is that the module can be removed and then placed on the base or top of the phone through a USB Type-C port. A second image shows the camera module fitted with a USB Type-C connector, so it stays connected even when detached.
A module that folds for different angles
According to the patent, the detached module can be folded at two angles, 90 degrees and 180 degrees. With this folded design, the camera could capture photos from multiple angles rather than only pointing in one direction.
- The camera module attaches via a USB Type-C port on the base or top of the phone.
- It folds at 90 degrees and 180 degrees for shooting from different angles.
- A lithium-ion battery could sit inside the module and be charged when needed.
- Wireless features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC could also be built into the module.
Will the Oppo removable camera phone ever launch?
A patent does not always turn into a product on store shelves. As a concept, a removable camera is genuinely fun, and it would be interesting to see how the technology is applied in practice.
Modular phones have been talked about for a long time. Despite many efforts from companies such as LG and Motorola, lasting success with modular design has not been achieved yet. For more from the brand, see our coverage of Oppo.
Oppo recently showcased the X 2021 concept smartphone with a rollable screen. That phone uses a variable rollable OLED display, with a roll motor powertrain that converts the 6.7 inch screen into a 7.4 inch phablet.
