Smartphone manufacturers have been trying for some time to find a solution to offer the most screen without the need for the notch, whatever the format. Some try to insert the front camera underneath the screen – which is not yet in commercial stage – and others try the flip camera (cases of the Galaxy A80, Samsung and Zenfone 6, Asus) but the most current solution is the selfie camera pop-up.
One of the most unusual solutions was used by Oppo, on the Reno line, which has the Oppo Reno, the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom and the Oppo Reno 5G. The technology, dubbed shark fin, suggests that the front camera appears on a diagonal slide to the top of the smartphone, unlike other modules, such as OnePlus 7 Pro and Xiaomi Mi 9T.
But what Oppo might not expect is that another Chinese manufacturer would use the well-known counterfeit culture and literally copy the Oppo technique.
A patent was published in the Global Design Database of the OMPI (World Intellectual Property Office) for a smartphone project with characteristics very similar to the Oppo Reno, which was filed by the Shenzhen Haipai Communication Technology, which works as a subsidiary of Zhihui Haipai Technology.
Haipai is known for this process of copying other smartphones, such as Huawei P6, which was released under the name Haipai Noble P6s. In the case of the Oppo Reno, copied by the manufacturer, the design is almost identical, with the original having a slightly smaller and more refined camera.
The design allows, thanks to the system, that the screen has minimal edges, which makes the device more rectangular. Also highlight the recording button, which is separated on the right side of the smartphone. The back has a double camera just like the Oppo Reno, with one small difference: it’s a bit more bouncy in the Haipai, while Oppo keeps it in the same plane as the rear. There are still differences in flash location and fingerprint sensor.
It is well known that some irregular Chinese companies are able to reproduce (actually falsify) other premium products through the use of cheaper components from unknown vendors whose operation is obviously not comparable to that of the original smartphones.
Recommended: Three in one! IBM signs patent for smartwatch that can turn smartphone or tablet
So it is possible to assume that Haipai will not have the same quality as the Oppo Reno, but it can attract those who are willing to sport the front camera mechanism ‘shark fin’ without paying the price of the original smartphone. Searching for the Dutch portal Let’s Go Digital, Oppo said it does not talk about other companies.
Source: nl.letsgodigital.org