In the ever-competitive world of smartphones, two of the biggest players—Samsung and Xiaomi—are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation. For years, Samsung has reigned supreme in the Android world, but Xiaomi has been closing the gap rapidly. With the launch of the Xiaomi Mi 12 Ultra, the company is set to challenge Samsung’s dominance not only with cutting-edge features but also with a game-changing technology that Samsung has yet to fully embrace: the under-display camera (UDC).
Why Samsung Said No to Under-Display Cameras (For Now)?
Samsung's flagship lineup has always been known for incorporating the latest tech, and for a while, it was widely expected that the Galaxy S22 Ultra would be the first mainstream phone to feature an under-display camera. This would be a bold move that would eliminate the need for hole-punch cameras or notches, creating a seamless, uninterrupted display. However, Samsung ultimately decided against implementing the technology in the S22 Ultra, and there are two key reasons for this decision:
Low Yield Rates: The manufacturing process for under-display cameras is still in its infancy. In the early stages of production, the yield rates (the percentage of defect-free units produced) were not high enough to ensure that Samsung could produce tens of millions of Galaxy S22 Ultra phones with UDCs. With such a high production volume, Samsung would face significant challenges if a large portion of its devices had defective under-display cameras.
Mosaic Pattern Issues: Another major hurdle with UDCs is image quality. In early prototypes, users reported an unsightly mosaic or grid pattern that appears when viewing certain backgrounds through the area of the display above the camera. This issue, while potentially fixable in the future, is still prevalent enough to have deterred Samsung from going all-in on UDCs just yet.
Instead of introducing the under-display camera to the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung decided to debut this tech on the Galaxy Z Fold 3, a foldable device that would see more limited production, reducing the risk of wide-scale quality control issues.
Xiaomi Mi 12 Ultra: Pushing the Envelope
While Samsung may have opted out, Xiaomi is making it clear that they're ready to take the plunge with the Mi 12 Ultra. Expected to launch by the end of the year, the Mi 12 Ultra is shaping up to be one of the most exciting Android devices in recent memory, thanks in large part to its under-display camera technology.
Xiaomi has already showcased several prototypes, and their 3rd-gen UDC technology is promising, claiming it can "perfectly disguise" the selfie camera beneath the display. The key to this claim is the pixel density—the area above the camera is designed to match the pixel density of the rest of the screen, theoretically making the camera completely invisible during regular use.
However, Xiaomi’s promotional video still reveals a small square shadow above the camera, which suggests the tech isn’t as perfect as the company would like you to believe. Despite this, the fact that Xiaomi is pushing forward with UDCs is impressive, and many will likely appreciate the lack of the hole-punch camera that’s become a staple of modern smartphones.While the implementation of UDC is still in its early stages, Xiaomi is betting that consumers will embrace the novel technology, provided the image quality improves with each iteration.
Key Features of the Xiaomi Mi 12 Ultra
Aside from its under-display camera, the Mi 12 Ultra is set to offer a number of other standout features:
Ultra Wideband (UWB) Chip:
Similar to Apple and Samsung, the Mi 12 Ultra will include a UWB chip, allowing for ultra-precise location tracking. This technology is already being adopted by major car manufacturers like Audi, BMW, and Ford, who are exploring its potential for keyless entry and other innovative uses. With UWB, the Mi 12 Ultra will support not just file sharing but also location tracking to within an inch or less, further cementing Xiaomi’s push into high-tech territory.120W Wired and 70W Wireless Charging:
While Xiaomi's Mi 10 Ultra wowed the world with its blistering 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging speeds, the Mi 12 Ultra takes it a step further. With 120W wired and 70W wireless charging, Xiaomi is continuing to lead the charge (literally) in fast charging speeds. However, it's clear that the company is gearing up for even faster charging in the future, with rumors of 200W wired and 120W wireless charging coming to future devices.LTPO Display with 1-120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate:
The Mi 12 Ultra will feature an LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) display, which offers an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. This technology is already seen in Samsung’s top-tier displays and allows for smoother animations and better battery efficiency, as the refresh rate adjusts dynamically depending on the content you're viewing. This feature will make the Mi 12 Ultra a powerhouse in terms of display quality.Design and Camera:
While much of the focus is on the under-display camera, the Mi 12 Ultra will also boast impressive rear camera technology. Xiaomi is expected to refine its 108MP primary sensor with advanced computational photography features, including better low-light performance and more natural color reproduction. The design will likely continue the high-quality, premium feel of the Mi 11 series with sleek lines and a polished finish.
The Future of Under-Display Cameras: A Compromise or a Game-Changer?
The implementation of under-display cameras in smartphones is still in its infancy, but the potential for a seamless, uninterrupted screen is undeniable. Xiaomi is taking a leap with the Mi 12 Ultra, and while there are still some rough edges to iron out—like the visible shadow in the prototype videos—the technology is advancing rapidly. It’s likely that, in the next few years, under-display cameras will become the norm in flagship devices, as manufacturers like Xiaomi continue to push the boundaries.
Samsung, for its part, is likely to monitor Xiaomi’s progress closely. If the Mi 12 Ultra’s UDC performs well in the real world, we might see Samsung implement the technology in future Galaxy S series models, but for now, Samsung seems content to play it safe, at least until the tech matures.
In conclusion, the Xiaomi Mi 12 Ultra is shaping up to be a powerhouse device with some truly innovative features, including its under-display camera. While Samsung may have opted out of using UDC in the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Xiaomi is jumping in headfirst, and it will be fascinating to see how consumers react to this bold move. The next few years in smartphone design are bound to be exciting, with under-display cameras potentially becoming the new standard as the technology continues to evolve.
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