ZTE 2nd-Gen Under-Display Camera & 3D Face Scanner

Yes, ZTE demonstrated a second-generation under-display camera alongside a 3D face-scanning module, but the two are separate technologies that were shown together to highlight the company’s progress toward a truly bezel-less smartphone. The under-display camera hides the front lens beneath the screen, while the 3D face scanner is a separate sensor array that can be placed under the display for secure biometric authentication.

Background: ZTE’s Under-Display Camera Journey

ZTE was the first manufacturer to ship a phone with a camera hidden under the display, launching the Axon 20 5G in late 2020. That first iteration had a noticeable camera area with lower image quality compared to traditional front cameras. The second generation, shown at a tech event in early 2021, improved the transparency of the screen area above the lens and reduced the visual “smearing” effect that plagued the original. The company stated that the new panel used a higher-density pixel arrangement and a specialized driver circuit to let more light reach the sensor.

The key challenge with under-display cameras is that the screen itself blocks light. OLED panels are used because they emit their own light and can be made partially transparent when the pixels are spaced apart. ZTE’s second-gen approach increased the pixel spacing in the camera region and used a larger aperture lens to compensate, but the trade-off remains: the camera area has a lower effective resolution than the rest of the display, which is visible when viewing light-colored content.

How the Under-Display Camera Works

An under-display camera (UDC) works by placing the image sensor behind the OLED panel. The panel has a region with fewer pixels per inch (PPI) than the surrounding screen, allowing light to pass through the gaps. When you take a selfie, the camera captures light that filters through these gaps, and the phone’s software reconstructs the image, filling in missing data and correcting color shifts caused by the screen.

• Pixel density reduction: The camera area typically drops from ~400 PPI to ~200 PPI to let 50-60% more light through.
• Algorithm correction: The phone uses machine learning to estimate what the image would look like without the screen in the way, reducing haze and color fringing.
• Dedicated driver IC: A separate chip controls the pixels in the camera zone to minimize diffraction and glare.

The second-gen version improved the pixel layout from a standard RGB stripe to a “one pixel, two sub-pixels” design that reduces the visible grid pattern. It also added a light-guide layer that channels more photons to the sensor, improving low-light performance by roughly 30% compared to the first generation, according to ZTE’s presentation materials.

The 3D Face Scanner: Separate from the Camera

The 3D face scanner ZTE showed is not a camera in the traditional sense. It is an infrared (IR) projector and receiver pair that maps the geometry of your face using thousands of dots. This is similar to Apple’s Face ID system, but ZTE’s module is designed to be embedded under the display as well. The scanner uses a VCSEL (Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser) to project a dot pattern, and an IR camera reads the deformation of that pattern to build a depth map.

This technology is distinct from the under-display camera because it does not rely on visible light. Infrared light passes through the OLED panel more easily than visible light, so the scanner can be placed under the screen without needing as large a transparent area. ZTE’s demo showed the scanner working through the display, capturing a 3D model of a face that could be used for secure unlocking and mobile payments.

Why Combine Both Technologies?

The goal is to eliminate the notch, punch-hole, or bezel that currently houses the front camera and biometric sensors. A phone with both an under-display camera and an under-display 3D scanner could have a completely uninterrupted screen on the front. This is a significant selling point for people who want maximum screen-to-body ratio and a clean, symmetrical design.

However, the two technologies are at different maturity levels. The under-display camera is already in commercial products, while the 3D face scanner under the display was still a prototype. ZTE did not announce a specific release date for a phone with both features, but the demonstration indicated that the company was actively working on integrating them into a single device.

Common Problems and Limitations

Both technologies have known drawbacks that affect the user experience:

• Camera image quality: Under-display cameras still produce softer, less detailed selfies than traditional cameras. The screen reduces contrast and introduces a slight haze, especially in bright conditions.
• Display artifacts: The camera region is visibly different from the rest of the screen. You can see a faint circular area where the pixels are sparser, which is noticeable when viewing solid colors or reading text that scrolls over that zone.
• 3D scanner reliability: Under-display IR scanners have a narrower field of view and may struggle in direct sunlight, where ambient IR interferes with the projected pattern.
• Screen durability: The transparent area of the display is structurally weaker, and some early units had issues with touch sensitivity in that region.

These limitations are why many manufacturers, including ZTE, have not fully abandoned the punch-hole camera. The trade-off between a clean look and image quality is a real engineering decision that each company weighs differently.

Comparison with Other Approaches

ZTE’s approach is one of several ways to achieve a full-screen design. Other methods include:

• Pop-up cameras: Motorola and OnePlus used mechanical pop-up modules that slide out when needed. They offer full camera quality but add moving parts that can fail and increase device thickness.
• Side-mounted cameras: Some phones, like the Xiaomi Mi Mix series, placed the camera in a small bezel at the top corner, avoiding the need for a notch but sacrificing symmetry.
• Punch-hole cameras: Samsung and others use a small hole in the display for the camera, which is less intrusive than a notch but still visible.
• Under-display cameras: ZTE, Samsung (in its Galaxy Z Fold 3), and Xiaomi have all shipped or demonstrated this technology, with varying degrees of quality.

The 3D face scanner under the display is rarer. Most phones with 3D face unlock, like the iPhone, use a notch to house the IR components. ZTE’s demonstration was one of the first to show this working through an OLED panel, but it has not yet appeared in a shipping product.

Cost and Availability

Under-display camera technology adds cost to a phone because it requires a specialized OLED panel, a custom driver IC, and complex software calibration. The first ZTE Axon 20 was priced as a mid-range device, suggesting the technology was not prohibitively expensive. Second-generation modules are expected to be slightly cheaper as yields improve, but they are still more costly than a standard punch-hole camera setup.

As of now, under-display cameras are found primarily in flagship or upper-mid-range phones from ZTE, Samsung, and Xiaomi. The 3D face scanner under the display remains a research prototype, and no commercial phone has shipped with it. ZTE has not announced a release date for a phone combining both features, and it is unclear whether the 3D scanner will appear in a consumer device in the near future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the under-display camera as good as a normal front camera?

No. Under-display cameras produce softer images with less detail and more noise in low light. The screen in front of the lens scatters light and reduces contrast. For video calls and casual selfies, the quality is acceptable, but it is not on par with a traditional camera module.

Does the 3D face scanner work in the dark?

Yes, because it uses infrared light rather than visible light. The scanner projects an IR pattern that is invisible to the human eye, so it works in complete darkness. This is an advantage over a standard front camera, which needs light to capture an image.

Can the under-display camera be used for secure face unlock?

Yes, but it is less secure than a 3D scanner. A 2D camera image can sometimes be fooled by a photograph or a 3D-printed mask. The 3D face scanner is much more secure because it measures depth, making it harder to spoof.

Will the under-display camera area affect the screen’s touch response?

In early implementations, some users reported reduced touch sensitivity in the camera region. ZTE’s second-gen module improved this, but the area still has slightly different touch characteristics due to the altered pixel layout. Most users do not notice it in daily use.

Is ZTE the only company working on this?

No. Samsung has shipped under-display cameras in its Galaxy Z Fold series, and Xiaomi has demonstrated similar technology. ZTE was the first to release a phone with an under-display camera, but the technology is being developed by several major manufacturers.

When can I buy a phone with both an under-display camera and a 3D face scanner?

As of now, no such phone is available. ZTE’s demonstration was a proof of concept, and the company has not given a timeline for a commercial release. It could be several years before both technologies are mature enough to be combined in a shipping product.

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