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  • Step aside, Intel: Apple shows off its first Macs powered by its new M1 chipset

    Apple today unveiled its first Mac computers powered by its new M1 chipset, ushering in a new era for Apple hardware as it leaves behind Intel in favor of its own silicon.

    Apple M1 Chipset

    Behind all of the new computers Apple showcased at today’s event is its new M1 chipset, the first chip designed specifically for Mac. Unlike past Mac computers, which required multiple chips from multiple suppliers, Apple’s new M1 chip puts all of them into a single system on a chip (SoC) design. This includes the CPU, GPU, I/O, security and memory.

    The new chip uses a 5nm process, which helps to fit more than 16 billion transistors onto the M1. The M1 features eight cores—four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores—that work together to provide better performance with lower power consumption. Apple claims the new M1 chip offers 2x the total CPU and GPU performance of the leading commercially-available PC chip and matches the peak CPU/GPU performance of the same chip using just 25% and 33% of the power, respectively.

    One of the greatest advantages of the SoC design is the ability to use unified memory. Now, with the unified memory architecture (UMA), the M1 allows all of the individual technologies inside the M1 to access the same data without having to copy it between multiple memory pools. This should open up plenty of memory bandwidth for improved performance across the board. Apple specifically notes both video and image processing will see a major performance boost with the M1 chip compared to similar Intel-powered computers.

    Apple also claims 15x the machine-learning performance compared to its previous-generation Intel-powered computers with the ability to perform up to 11 trillion operations per second.

    Of course, one of the main benefits of Apple’s new silicon is battery performance. As we’ll detail below, the new M1 chip enables up to 17 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video playback on the new MacBook Pro 13”, while the new MacBook Air offers up to 15 hours and 18 hours of web browsing and video playback, respectively.

    With the brain out of the way, let’s get onto the new machines using it.

    The New MacBook Air

    The new MacBook Air may look like its predecessors, but beneath the unibody frame is Apple’s new M1 chip, making it the first Apple computer with Apple silicon packed inside. Thanks to the new M1 chip inside, Apple says the new MacBook Air is 3.5 times faster than its Intel-powered predecessor, with 5x faster graphics performance and 9x better machine learning performance.

    The new MacBook Air comes with a 13.3” retina display with P3 wide color gamut support, up to 16GB of memory and up to 2TB of storage. Other features include two Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, a 720p FaceTime HD camera (really, Apple?) and Touch ID.

    Apple claims the new MacBook Air can power up to 15 hours of web browsing and 18 hours of video playback on its 50Wh LiPo battery. It comes with a 30W USB-C Power Adapter for charging.

    The new MacBook Air starts at $ 999 with the standard M1 chip, 8GB RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. There’s also a version of the new MacBook Air that starts at $ 1249 and offers an M1 chip with an 8-core GPU over the standard seven-core GPU; this upgraded version also starts with 512GB of SSD storage over the 256GB of the $ 999 MacBook Air. A full-maxed-out MacBook Air with the upgraded M1 chip, 16GB RAM and 2TB of SSD storage will set you back $ 2,050.

    Mac Mini

    Much like the new MacBook Air, the new Mac Mini looks identical to its Intel-powered predecessor on the outside but packs Apple’s new M1 chip on the inside.

    Apple didn’t lay out the exact specifications of the M1 chip inside the new Mac Mini, opting instead to compare it to its Intel-power predecessor. Based on that comparison, Apple says the new Mac Mini offers 3x faster processing performance, 6x faster graphics performance and 15x faster machine learning performance, all while consuming 60% less energy.

    Features include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 and Gigabit Ethernet.Ports include two Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port, two USB-A ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. When using the thunderbolt 3 port, you can drive Apple’s Pro Display XDR at a full 6K resolution in addition to a secondary 4K display.

    The new Mac Minis start at $ 699 ($ 100 less than the previous generation), which includes the eight-core M1 chip, 8GB RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. A maxed-out model, complete with 16GB RAM and 2TB of SSD storage will set you back $ 1,500.

    13″ MacBook Pro

    The third and final computer to receive the M1 treatment today is the new 13″ MacBook Pro. As with the two previous computers, there is effectively zero external differences between this computer and its Intel-powered predecessors. Inside, though, it’s a different story.

    As with the Mac Mini, Apple refrains from spouting the frequencies of the new M1 chip inside the 13″ MacBook Pro, opting instead to gauge its performance based on its Intel-powered predecessor. Based on that, Apple claims the new 13″ MacBook Pro offers 2.8x faster processor performance, 5x the graphics performance and 11x the machine learning performance. Unlike the new MacBook Air, which relies exclusively on passive cooling, the new 13″ MacBook Pro keeps its fans, which means you should be able to push the performance of the M1 chip even further when battery life isn’t an issue.

    Speaking of battery life, Apple says the new 12″ MacBook Pro offers up to 17 hours of web browsing and 20 hours of video playback on a single charge—that’s roughly 10 hours more than Apple’s previous Intel-powered MacBook Pros.

    Other specifications include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Touch ID, a 720p FaceTime camera (again, really, Apple?), P3 wide color gamut support and an upgraded three-microphone array. Ports include two Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Like the Mac Mini, the new 13″ MacBook Pro can power Apple’s Pro Display XDR at its full 6k resolution.

    The new 13″ MacBook Pro starts at $ 1,300 with the eight-core M1 chip, 8GB RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. A maxed-out model with 16GB RAM and 2TB of SSD storage will set you back $ 2,300.

    It’s worth noting that both the Mac Mini and 13″ MacBook Pro can still be purchased with Intel processors, if you’re not ready to make the jump to Apple silicon yet. The MacBook Air, however, is now exclusively powered by Apple’s M1 SoC.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Baron Wolman, Rolling Stone’s first staff photographer, dies at 83

    Image credit: Wikipedia media, used under CC BY-SA 3.0

    Baron Wolman, Rolling Stone’s first staff photographer, passed away at age 83 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. His longtime representative, Dianne Duenzl, confirmed the news to Rolling Stone this past Monday night. ‘Baron’s pictures gave us a rare, comprehensive, and accurate reflection of that time executed by a gifted artist whose visual intelligence is unsurpassed,’ Duenzl stated.

    Wolman was born on June 25, 1937, in Columbus, Ohio, and studied philosophy at Chicago’s Northwestern University. He learned to speak German at the Defense Language School in Monterey, California, before touring with the Army military intelligence in West Berlin. This is where he began his career in photography. He sold his first photo essay, documenting life behind the newly-constructed Berlin Wall, to a print publication.

    He returned to Monterey shortly after to pursue a career as a photojournalist. In the mid-1960s, he lived in San Francisco’s Haight Ashbury district and worked as a freelance photographer. One of his clients, Oakland’s Mills College, invited him to cover their weekend seminar on the pop music industry. Also in attendance: Jann S. Wenner and Ralph Gleason.

    Wenner and Gleason were working on plans for a new music publication. They initially asked Wolman if he had $ 10,000 to invest in Rolling Stone. He didn’t. Instead, he offered to work for free if the magazine would cover the costs of film and the development of his photos. In a smart business move, Wolman also requested he retain the rights to all of his images.

    Wolman went on to shoot the the premiere issue’s cover, featuring the Grateful Dead. Later on, he captured a rare image of their eccentric lead singer, Jerry Garcia, when he raised his hand and revealed a partially missing middle finger. Artists trusted Wolman and opened up to him in an era before handlers carefully constructed their public personas.

    Artists trusted Wolman and opened up to him in an era before handlers carefully constructed their public personas.

    He not only captured artists performing live, and their fans in the moment at events such as Woodstock, Wolman was also granted backstage access. His most memorable images contain intimate moments with some of rock’s more interesting personalities including Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, and Frank Zappa.

    Wolman left Rolling Stone in 1970 and went on to capture images for advertising companies, the NFL, government agencies, universities, and more. His work appeared in leading print publications including Esquire, Vogue, Playboy, and Newsweek. Besides the Berlin Wall, he also documented Israel in flux. Many of these events are documented in his numerous books.

    Baron is survived by his sister, Susan, and his brother, Richard. His longtime motto? ‘Mixing business with pleasure since 1965.’

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • The World’s First Completely AI-Powered Photo Editor Will Debut Before the Year Is Out

    The post The World’s First Completely AI-Powered Photo Editor Will Debut Before the Year Is Out appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

    Skylum’s Luminar AI, billed as “the first image editor fully powered by artificial intelligence,” will come available before the year is out.

    Luminar AI is the world's first completely AI-powered photo editor

    Already, the image editor has created controversy among photographers thanks to its automated, AI-based approach to image editing, with some claiming that Luminar AI’s easy, no-experience-necessary approach is problematic – or even cheating.

    And while we don’t know exactly how the program works, Skylum has released several videos showing off some of Luminar AI’s standout features.

    world's first AI-powered photo editor

    Highlights include:

    • Composition AI, which automatically straightens your images and suggests cropping based on compositional guidelines and feedback from professional photographers
    • Face AI and Skin AI, which automatically retouch your subjects’ faces for improved teeth, lips, skin, and much more
    • Sky AI, which allows you to instantly swap skies while automatically adjusting for changes in lighting and color
    • Atmosphere AI, which lets you enhance your images with weather effects (such as haze, steam, drizzle, fog, and mist)

    To see some of these AI effects in action, check out Skylum’s latest video:

    While Luminar AI will be offered as a standalone editing program, Skylum’s most up-to-date software, Luminar 4, already packs some AI-based features (including a popular sky-replacement option). But Luminar AI promises to take AI editing to the next level, opening up advanced post-processing effects to a much larger audience.

    Will Luminar AI do everything for you?

    It doesn’t seem like it. As Skylum explains, you have to make creative choices; Luminar AI will do a lot of editing work for you, but you’ll remain at the helm.

    world's first AI-powered photo editor

    As for the Luminar AI release:

    The date is currently unknown, but Skylum promises a “holiday season” release. I’d expect an early December debut, though mid-December or late November certainly isn’t out of the question.

    In terms of price, you can currently preorder Luminar AI for a discounted rate:

    $ 74 USD for a standard copy of Luminar AI, or $ 139 USD to download both Luminar AI and Luminar 4.

    So if Luminar AI’s simple approach to editing appeals to you, make sure you take a look while the discount still lasts! You can view the software here.

    Now over to you:

    What do you think about Luminar AI? Do you like the idea of AI-based editing? Or does it feel like cheating? And will you purchase the program? Share your thoughts in the comments!

    The post The World’s First Completely AI-Powered Photo Editor Will Debut Before the Year Is Out appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


    Digital Photography School

  • DPReview TV: Fujifilm X-S10 first impressions review

    The Fujifilm X-S10 may have a less retro design than some of its siblings, but it’s a very capable camera for both stills and video. Watch our review to find out why Chris and Jordan think this camera hits the sweet spot.

    Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

    • Introduction
    • Complaining about the weather
    • Sample images
    • Controls
    • Stabilization
    • Grip
    • AF-on placement
    • Displays
    • Film simulations
    • Burst shooting and autofocus
    • Video capabilities
    • Video overheating test
    • Video autofocus and stabilization
    • Waterfalls!
    • Who's it for?

    Sample images from this episode

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    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • MIT and UMass researchers develop world’s first flat ultra-wide-angle fisheye lens

    Researchers with the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and MIT have developed a new type of fisheye lens that is flat and crafted from a single piece of glass. The lens is round, according to the researchers, and it is capable of capturing sharp 180-degree panoramas. This is the first flat fisheye lens made from a single piece of glass, which measures 1mm thick.

    Ordinary spherical fisheye lenses are made from multiple pieces of glass designed to bend the light in such a way that it produces circular wide-angle images. The newly developed flat lens instead captures wide-angle panoramas by utilizing ‘tiny structures’ that scatter light in place of the curved glass elements in more costly spherical fisheye lenses.

    The version of the lense introduced by the researchers is made for infrared photography, but the team says that it could be modified for use as a regular visible spectrum lens, as well. The flat design is ultimately more compact and less expensive to produce than spherical multi-element lenses.

    The researchers envision a variety of uses for their lens design beyond interchangeable lenses. The thin, flat nature of the design would make it possible to implement the fisheye into smartphones, for example, eliminating the need to use a third-party lens add-on. Similar implementation could be used with laptops, VR headsets and even devices like medical imaging equipment.

    MIT associate professor Juejun Hu, one of the researchers on the project, explained:

    This design comes as somewhat of a surprise, because some have thought it would be impossible to make a metalens with an ultra-wide-field view. The fact that this can actually realize fisheye images is completely outside expectation. This isn’t just light-bending — it’s mind-bending.

    Metalens refers to a flat lens that has tiny structures for focusing light. While wide-angle metalenses aren’t new, the researchers note that a single piece of glass without any extra optics have been limited to 60-degrees. The newly published study details how the team got around these restrictions to develop an ultra-wide-angle lens capable of capturing 180-degree panoramas without extra components.

    This 180-degree fisheye metalens features a single piece of transparent glass made from calcium fluoride with a lead telluride film on one side. A pattern of ‘optical structures’ called meta-atoms was carved into the film using lithographic techniques, the result of which were many ‘nanoscale geometries’ used to bend the light in specific, precise ways.

    The carved structures can introduce phase delays into the scattering of the light — depending on their shape — to imitate the natural phase delays produced by the curved glass elements in spherical fisheye lenses. The light passes from the carved structures on the back of the lens through an optical aperture on the front of the lens.

    Study co-author Mikhail Shalaginov said:

    When light comes in through this aperture, it will refract at the first surface of the glass, and then will get angularly dispersed. The light will then hit different parts of the backside, from different and yet continuous angles. As long as you design the back side properly, you can be sure to achieve high-quality imaging across the entire panoramic view.

    The study was partially funded by DARPA through its EXTREME program, which tasks experts with developing optical tools ‘to enable new functionality and/or vastly improve size, weight, and power characteristics of traditional optical systems.’ The agency goes on to explain that EXTREME will ‘explore this optical design space and aims to understand the trade-offs, and harness the possibilities, afforded’ by Engineered Optical Materials (EnMats).

    Via: MIT

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • Breakthrough announces first third-party EF to RF Drop-In Filter Adapter

    San Francisco-based Breakthrough Filters has announced an all-new EF to RF filter adapter. This is the first EF to RF drop-in filter adapter released not made by Canon.

    Breakthrough’s EF to RF Drop-In Filter Adapter is loaded with a variety of hardware improvements. The adapter has an all-metal aluminum alloy construction and includes dust and water resistance. The weather-sealed adapter has rubber gaskets around both the filter and rear mounts. The adapter includes a detachable tripod food and accepts mounting plates for ballheads, arca plates and more. Further, the interior has been blacked out to reduce specular reflections.

    In terms of compatibility, Breakthrough states that you can mount your EF lenses to RF mounts on cameras such as the Canon EOS R, R5 and R6 cameras and the RED Komodo. The adapter supports autofocus, image stabilization and EXIF data recording.

    The Breakthrough EF to RF Drop-In Filter Adapter includes numerous features, such as an all-metal construction, weather sealing and more. Click to enlarge. Image credit: Breakthrough

    You can use either Canon’s own drop-in filters or filters from Breakthrough. Breakthrough Photography announced many drop-in filters in August, you can learn more about them by reading our coverage.

    The Breakthrough EF to RF Drop-In Filter Adapter is available for preorder for $ 199 USD. The first 500 orders will also ship with a free Breakthrough XF Clear drop-in filter. Shipping is expected to begin on November 16.

    Breakthrough offers many drop-in filters for their new filter adapter and for the existing Canon EF-EOS R drop-in filter adapter. Image credit: Breakthrough

    This is a sizable discount when compared to Canon’s own EF-EOS R Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter. The version that comes with a circular polarizing filter costs $ 300 and the version that includes a drop-in variable ND filter is $ 400. If you already own a Canon Adapter and want to purchase Breakthrough’s new EF to RF drop-in filter adapter, Breakthrough is offering a buyback program.

    After your new filter arrives, you can use an included pre-paid return label to ship your Canon unit back for a refund on your transaction with Breakthrough. Sending a regular Canon EF to RF adapter nets you a $ 69 refund and Canon’s Drop-In Filter Adapter is worth $ 149.

    Breakthrough is offering a Canon Adapter Buyback program for purchasers of the new Breakthrough filter adapter. Click to enlarge. Image credit: Breakthrough

    To learn more about the new Breakthrough EF to RF Drop-In Filter Adapter, head to Breakthrough’s website.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • DPReview TV: Panasonic Lumix S5 first impressions

    Is the Panasonic S5 a camera for still photographers or videographers? Chris and Jordan answer this burning question with a resounding, “Yes.” Okay, that’s not really an answer. But after spending some time with a nearly-final S5, they’ve come to the conclusion that this is a highly versatile hybrid camera at an attractive price point.

    Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week.

    • Introduction
    • Build quality and design
    • Sample images
    • Displays
    • Battery
    • Stabilization
    • Drive speed and buffer
    • Autofocus
    • Video specs
    • Video autofocus
    • Video overheating
    • Slow motion
    • Audio
    • Compared to the S1H
    • Upcoming firmware
    • Video conclusion
    • Image quality
    • Who's it for?

    Sample images from this episode

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    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • ZTE reveals the Axon 20 5G, the first smartphone with selfie camera hidden under the display

    After multiple promises to release such a device, Chinese company ZTE has officially unveiled the Axon 20 5G, the first smartphone to feature a selfie camera located beneath the display. The mid-range handset, which is otherwise unremarkable, was introduced by the company on Tuesday, but questions on availability remain.

    The Axon 20 5G is the first smartphone brought to market that features a front-facing camera under the display, something ZTE says was made possible using a variety of ‘high transparency material that includes new organic and inorganic films’ in addition to image software, The Verge reports.

    Quite obviously, this design means the Axon 20 5G does not feature a visible selfie camera, rather presenting users with a clean, uninterrupted display free of notches, hole punches and thick camera-packing bezels. The actual quality of images produced by the hidden camera remains unclear, however, due to the current lack of reviews and sample photos.

    The camera located beneath the display packs 32MP; it is joined by a 64MP primary rear camera alongside an 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP depth/macro cameras. The primary camera supports video recording at up to 4K/60fps with real-time HDR and real-time subtitles.

    Novelty aside, the Axon 20 5G is a solidly mid-range device packing a 6.92in 20.5:9 FDH+ OLED display with 10-bit 1.07B color and 100% DCI-P3, as well as a 90Hz refresh rate. Circling back to the unique hidden camera, ZTE’s website explains that this unit features high-transparency micron-level material, a ‘special pixel matrix,’ triple selfie algorithm, an integrated circuit and an independent driver chip.

    The light sensor, sound system and fingerprint sensor are likewise hidden beneath the display, according to ZTE, which has packed a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor and Adreno 629 GPU under the hood. Other features include an ‘AI performance engine,’ smart power-saving mode, ‘liquid cooling circulation,’ carbon nanofiber thermal pad and nano-level textured design.

    Buyers will have two models to choose from, one featuring 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM, the other featuring 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. Both variants will feature a microSD card slot, 4220mAh battery and support for 5G. At this point in time, ZTE is only offering the Axon 20 5G model in China for the equivalent of around $ 320 starting price. It’s unclear whether the model will get an international release.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • The Laowa 50mm F2.8 is the first 2x macro lens for MFT systems

    Chinese lens manufacturer Venus Optics has introduced a new Ultra Macro lens to its Laowa line-up with a 50mm F2.8 model that offers a 2x macro function. The Laowa 50mm F2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO is claimed to be the first-ever 2x macro lens for the MTF system, and has a minimum focus distance of 13.5cm (5.3in).

    Marked with the company’s ‘CA Dreamer’ slogan, the lens has apochromatic correction achieved with three extra-low dispersion elements in the 14-elements-in-10-group construction. The company says lateral and longitudinal chromatic aberrations are corrected and that out-of-focus highlights appear free of color fringes. As the lens provides the view you’d expect from a 100mm on a full-frame sensor Laowa says it also makes an excellent portrait lens.

    Jimmy Chan Paul Harcourt Davies
    Nicky Bay Paul Harcourt Davies

    The lens is chipped and allows body-controlled apertures as well as full EXIF data to be recorded in the image metadata. The lens has a 7-bladed iris, a 49mm filter thread and it weighs 240g (8.4oz), while the short flange distance has allowed the company make it just 79mm (3.1in) in length.

    The Laowa 50mm F2.8 2x Macro costs $ 400 before tax and is available to purchase now on the Laowa website.

    Press release:

    Venus Optics announced the world’s first 2x macro lens for MFT: Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO

    Venus Optics, the camera lens manufacturer endeavoring in unique ultra-macro lenses, announce the release of Laowa 50mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens. The new 50mm lens is specially designed for Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras and it is the first- ever 2X macro lens designed for this sensor size. The lens also features an apochromatic (APO) design to minimize the chromatic aberrations across the frame. The ex-VAT retail price is USD 399/pc and pricing may vary in different countries.

    1) Focus from infinity to 2X macro magnification

    Unlike most of the MFT macro lenses in the market which can focus only up to 1X, the new Laowa 50mm macro lens offers a 2X maximum magnification ratio along with a minimum focusing distance of 5.3” (13.5cm). It has become the first lens ever designed with a greater- than-life-size (2:1) maximum magnification for MFT cameras, allowing photographing close subjects with finer details. The wider magnification range also makes itself flexible for shooting subjects at different sizes. The lens can focus to infinity and serve as an excellent portrait lens with its 100mm equivalent field of view on 35mm sensors.

    2) Equipped with a CPU chip and motor (Automatic aperture)

    The lens is equipped with a CPU chip and motor and the aperture can be controlled via the camera body. All the lens data is directly recorded on EXIF. Moreover, the focus magnifier would automatically triggered for easier focus control when the focus ring is rotated.

    3) Apochromatic optical (APO) design

    The new 50mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro has a optics design with 14 elements in 10 groups, three out of which are extra-low dispersion glasses to minimize chromatic aberrations across the frame.
    This lens has inherited the exceptional APO design from Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra Macro APO, where both lateral chromatic aberration (LaCa) and longitudinal CA (LoCA or Bokeh Fringing) are eliminated.

    4) Lightweight & Compactness

    The 50mm lens is extremely compact and light in weight. It measures 3.1” (79mm) long and weighs only around 8.4oz (240g). Venus Optics take advantage of the short flange distance of mirrorless cameras and compress the size of the lens to the minimal. An internal focus design is also adopted so that the length of the lens can be maintained during focusing.

    5) Compatible with MFT

    With the previous success of the Laowa 65mm f/2.8 2x Ultra macro APO which was optimized for APS-C, the new 50mm lens is specially developed for MFT mirrorless camera users. It can be used on Panasonic, Olympus, BMPCC 4K, etc.

    6) Pricing & Availability

    The lens is currently available to order in authorized resellers and in Venus Optics official website (http://www.venuslens.net/). Shipping starts immediately. The ex-VAT retail price in the US is USD 399/pc. Pricing may vary in different countries.

    Specifications

    Format MFT
    Focal length 50mm
    Angle of View 24°
    Aperture f/2.8-22 (Automatic aperture)
    Optical Structure 14 elements in 10 groups
    Aperture Blade 7 blades
    Closest focusing distance 13.5cm
    Max. Magnification 2X
    Focus Manual
    Filter thread ø49mm
    Dimensions ø53.5mm x 79mm
    Weight 240g

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

  • ZTE to launch the first smartphone with under-display front camera on September 1st

    The front of modern smartphones is almost entirely occupied by the display which makes integrating the selfie camera an ever more difficult task for designers and engineers. We’ve seen solutions using camera notches, hole-punch cameras and pop-up mechanisms but none look as elegant and inconspicuous as a camera that is hidden under the display.

    Some under-display prototypes have already been making the rounds but now we’ll finally have a working production model to play with. Chinese manufacturer ZTE has just announced it will launch the world’s first smartphone with under-display front camera on September 1st. The company says the ZTE Axon 20 5G ‘will be the world’s first mass-produced 5G smartphone featuring under-display camera, marking another milestone in ZTE’s exploration of the true full display smartphone.’

    Xiaomi prototype with under-display camera next to a device with front camera notch

    Unfortunately no other specs or pricing information has been released at this point but XDA-Developers has discovered a recent database entry by Chinese regulator TENAA that lists the Axon 20 5G as a device with 32MP front camera and a quad-rear-camera setup with 64, 8 and a pair of 2MP modules. Other rumored specs include 6.92-inch HD OLED display and up to 12GB of RAM.

    Previously manufacturers Xiaomi and Oppo were the first to demonstrate technology allowing for the front camera to be placed under and capture images information through the display. Prototype devices made an appearance but in January 2020 Xiaomi VP Lu Weibing said there were still too many technological challenged to overcome and a production devices should not be expected any time soon, mainly because the high pixel-density of modern smartphone displays blocked too much of the incoming light from the camera lens and sensor.

    However, not too long after this statement was made OLED manufacturer Visionox announced it was ready to start mass production of displays with under-screen cameras. The company claimed it had been successful at increasing light transmission by using different organic and non-organic film materials that offer higher transparency. It also developed a new software for correcting brightness and color casts as well as viewing angle issues to work in conjunction with the new type of display.

    In addition the pixel density on the portion of the display covering the camera lens has been modified to allow for better light transmission by reducing the display resolution in the specific area where the camera is located.

    At this point it is unknown if the ZTE Axon 20 5G is using the VIsionox solution or a similar approach. However, we should know more and find out what kind of image quality the first under-display front camera can deliver on September 1st.

    Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)