The future of smartphone technology may soon bring us closer to the ‘all-screen’ experience, as several Chinese Android manufacturers are testing devices with under-display selfie cameras paired with 3D facial recognition. This innovation could signal the next step in biometric authentication, combining the convenience of both fingerprint scanners and face unlock methods in one sleek design.
While Apple has long led the way with its Face ID technology, 3D facial recognition has remained a rarity on Android devices. Currently, Honor offers a glimpse of this tech with its Magic7 Pro, but it’s been largely absent elsewhere. Now, reports from tipster Digital Chat Station suggest that multiple Chinese smartphone makers are experimenting with invisible selfie cameras integrated with advanced facial scanning capabilities. 
These under-screen cameras, such as those seen in ZTE’s nubia Z70S Ultra, could soon join the ranks of mainstream Android devices.
Combining under-display cameras with 3D face recognition would bring both convenience and aesthetic appeal to smartphones. However, it raises questions about image quality. So far, under-display cameras have struggled to deliver high-quality selfies, with sacrifices in clarity and brightness. But because 3D face recognition only requires a basic image for identification, this challenge could be easier to overcome than providing perfect selfie quality. The key to success will be striking a balance between performance, aesthetics, and user satisfaction. Still, it will take time before this technology hits mainstream devices, and there’s no clear leader yet. Will Honor continue its lead, or will we see other brands step up first?