Chinese manufacturers are working on phones that will feature under-display selfie cameras along with advanced 3D facial recognition. This could be the next big thing in mobile innovation and a possible rival to Apple’s Face ID.
For years, smartphone makers have tried to create devices with uninterrupted screens. While under-display cameras have been used in some Android devices, they often struggle with image quality.
At the same time, only a few companies like Apple and Honor have used advanced 3D face recognition systems, which rely on visible sensors or cutouts on the display. Now, Chinese brands want to merge both features and hide them completely under the screen.
According to tipster Digital Chat Station (via gsmarena), shared on Weibo, several Chinese companies are already testing this technology in their labs. “No one has done both together yet — under-display cameras and 3D face scanning — and that’s the goal now,” the post said.
This means future smartphones might not have notches, punch holes, or pill-shaped cutouts. Instead, users could enjoy full-screen displays while still unlocking their phones securely with a 3D face scan.
Liu Wei from TechView Asia explained, “Putting a regular selfie camera under the screen is already hard because image quality suffers. Now imagine trying to hide 3D sensors under the same screen. It’s a massive engineering challenge,” he said.
Apple has been using Face ID in iPhones for almost a decade. It’s considered one of the most secure and reliable ways to unlock a phone and make payments. Face ID uses a 3D depth-sensing system that works even in total darkness. Until now, Android makers have struggled to offer a similar feature.
Honor’s Magic 7 Pro is one of the few Android phones with 3D face unlock. But it still needs a visible cutout to house its 50-megapixel selfie camera and 3D depth sensor. Meanwhile, ZTE’s nubia phones have under-display cameras but no 3D scanning. Combining both features would be a first for any smartphone brand.
It could mean a major upgrade in both design and security for Android users. Most Android phones today still rely on fingerprint sensors or 2D face recognition, which are less secure and don’t work well in low light.
There is no official word yet on which brands are leading the race. But experts believe companies like Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo, and Honor are all testing prototypes. A commercial launch could happen as early as late 2025 or in 2026.
A Weibo user wrote, “If this works, I’m switching from iPhone. I’ve waited long enough for Android to catch up.” However, others are worried about the cost. Packing so much technology under the display could make these phones more expensive. This might limit the feature to premium models at first.
Even so, there is a clear demand for cleaner designs and more secure unlocking systems. If Chinese companies can deliver both in one device, it could pressure Apple to rethink its current notch design, too. It’s not just about cameras anymore; it’s about creating a seamless, futuristic experience for users.
One insider hinted that Honor or Xiaomi could be among the first to release a device with this new technology. “We are seeing more interest from companies to push beyond standard designs and offer something truly new,” they said.
