Apple may want to hide the FaceTime camera (and its flash) on future iPhones

posted by Florin T. / Aug 07, 2014, 10:40 AM

Apple may want to hide the FaceTime camera (and its flash) on future iPhones

A patent application filed by Apple last year, and recently discovered by Apple Insider, suggests that the Cupertino company is looking at ways to make the iPhone designs even simpler. Titled “Electronic Device with Camera Flash Structures”, the patent application presents a front-facing camera and its flash, both of which can be hidden under the speaker grille mesh that’s found on the front of a device. This way, the front side of an iPhone could look cleaner.

As you may know, the FaceTime camera of current iPhone models does not have a flash at all - but, as the patent application described above implies, future versions might include a flash. It looks like smartphone manufacturers are paying increased attention to front-facing cameras: HTC, Huawei and Sony have all released handsets that offer very capable sensors for your everyday selfies.

We don’t really expect the iPhone 6 (which should be announced this September) to have a hidden FaceTime camera, but models coming after it may benefit from this invention. What do you think, is this an idea that would make iPhones look better?

source: FPO via Apple Insider

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36 Comments

1. Antimio

Posts: 313; Member since: Nov 11, 2013

This is just useless. Sorry, that was the 1st thing that came up to my mind..

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 10:46 AM 9

13. Iodine

Posts: 1495; Member since: Jun 19, 2014

No that was the second thing, right after "Apple" come up in your mind.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:27 AM 8

17. Antimio

Posts: 313; Member since: Nov 11, 2013

+1 and my respect for you, whoever you are

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 12:19 PM 4

29. techperson211

Posts: 1280; Member since: Feb 27, 2014

It'll make sense since they're using Sony camera and we all know that Sony has a selfie phone that have flash in front of it. But calling it innovation . Same old apple. Amazing. It just works.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:14 PM 0

2. cezarepc

Posts: 718; Member since: Nov 23, 2012

Really.. calling it an invention.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 10:46 AM 5

8. gregoryyy3 unregistered

Dang must have missed the part where Apple said hiding the front camera was "invention"

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:04 AM 5

30. SamDroid unregistered

Its the article that said that. "...We don’t really expect the iPhone 6 (which should be announced this September) to have a hidden FaceTime camera, but models coming after it may benefit from this invention."

posted on Aug 08, 2014, 4:58 AM 0

31. buccob

Posts: 2975; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

Sony should patent the "hidden notification led light" on their newer phones such as Z2...

posted on Aug 08, 2014, 6:32 AM 1

3. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

Wouldn't that get in the way of the quality of images and the flash? They would have to do a lot of hard work to make the flash and camera work around that obstruction. On top of that, wouldn't it require the speaker grill to get bigger and uglier as well? I get that they want to make things really simple, but this might be a good waste of money for something people don't even notice now much less after.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 10:48 AM 1

9. gregoryyy3 unregistered

Why would Apple release an iPhone with horrible front camera quality? I think you're just trying to find something to complain about when all actuality the 6 will be nice and simple

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:05 AM 2

18. Finalflash

Posts: 4063; Member since: Jul 23, 2013

I didn't say they would release a camera with horrible quality, I said it would just add problems for them in that regard. You fanboys need to calm down and not just jump to ridiculous conclusions at the drop of a hat.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 12:34 PM 3

19. bucky

Posts: 3791; Member since: Sep 30, 2009

A crazy fanboy telling other fanboys to think logically. Must be the middle of the week.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 12:50 PM 2

22. Vexify

Posts: 570; Member since: Jun 16, 2014

Ignore his ignorance. He never has anything good to say on this website. Just an annoyance to everyones eyes. Biggest fanboy on this website.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 1:55 PM 1

26. darkkjedii

Posts: 31320; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

Glad people have finally figured him out. +1 to you, and bucky. Finalflash would complain about winning $20,000,000. Why are the bills old, one 20 is wrinkled, go take a damn nap.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 6:50 PM 0

32. buccob

Posts: 2975; Member since: Jun 19, 2012

Well he makes a really good point... It really was the first thing that came to my mind after reading the article... A speaker mesh would affect image quality... and I wonder how will apple go around that.... Nowhere he was saying that Apple will do a bad job implementing it... just saying that it would be harder, but that is the point when making a nicer look right?

posted on Aug 08, 2014, 6:38 AM 1

25. darkkjedii

Posts: 31320; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

That's all he does on any Apple related article.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 6:47 PM 0

4. HTCOE

Posts: 650; Member since: Nov 20, 2011

it'll work out in the end...make sense...look good.... and ppl will buy it plain and simple

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 10:52 AM 1

5. pwnarena

Posts: 1129; Member since: Feb 15, 2013

and sony's patent last year planned to have a camera right behind the display itself.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 10:53 AM 0

16. pulkit1

Posts: 354; Member since: Jul 03, 2014

now if that will be possible it would be great as we move towards bezel less phones .

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 12:14 PM 0

6. cncrim

Posts: 1588; Member since: Aug 15, 2011

Any improve features are welcome as long as not increase the price like crazy on the device.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 10:54 AM 0

7. gregoryyy3 unregistered

Looks like the moto x

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:03 AM 0

11. Iodine

Posts: 1495; Member since: Jun 19, 2014

mot X doesn't have front camera ?

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:25 AM 0

10. promise7

Posts: 894; Member since: Jul 03, 2013

Doesn't the HTC One M7 or M8 hide the notification led behind the speaker grill also?

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:25 AM 0

21. Antimio

Posts: 313; Member since: Nov 11, 2013

so the Moto X

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 1:10 PM 0

12. asiancuta

Posts: 1; Member since: Aug 07, 2014

Can already hear it..."new and exciting invention...did we mention it's new and exciting? Because it's really new and exciting. Oh look! So exciting" *pause for clapping*

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:26 AM 0

24. maulgandhi unregistered

Apple might want to hide iphone, ipad, ipod and macbook under android, windows and even chromebook. Apple products are such an embarrassment.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 4:28 PM 0

14. DontHateOnS60

Posts: 872; Member since: Apr 20, 2009

Really?? I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It's Apple and they're so concerned with looks (who isn't) but I think they have more important things to be worried about like doing someone innovative for once.

posted on Aug 07, 2014, 11:47 AM 1

15. Commentator

Posts: 3723; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

I guess I can't argue with their choice, but I don't really see any added benefit. I guess they can argue that it will make for a cleaner front, but there's something to be said about seeing a well-designed front-camera that actually adds to the beauty of the phone. The HTC One M7, for example, has a great looking front-camera that, in my opinion, would take away from the design if it were hidden behind a grille.