Patent application shows another way to nix the notch

The other day, we told you about a new technology that Essential reportedly is working on that would eliminate the need for a notch or a punch-hole. It also could replace the slider form factor that has been used by some manufacturers. Apparently, the sequel to the Essential Phone could pack a screen that becomes semi-transparent in places to reveal an in-screen camera and sensors. Now, a patent that Xiaomi filed with the World Intellectual Patent Organization (WIPO) reveals another way to eliminate the notch, punch-hole and the slider.

The patent application, originally filed back in January of 2018, was published this week by WIPO and spotted by Lets Go Digital (translated). It shows that Xiaomi would use a curved edge screen design not only on the sides of the display, but also on the top and bottom as well. And the rounded top and sides extend to the back of the phone.

With the phone's display curving at the top and bottom of the screen, there is no notch. Most likely, any handset produced with this design would use an in-display selfie camera, sensors and fingerprint reader. Note that the drawings show no notches or punch-holes. The patent illustrations reveal a dual-camera setup on back, and while there are no buttons on the unit, a USB-C port does appear on the bottom of the phone.

As phone manufacturers continue to come up with new ways to increase the screen-to-body ratios of their phones, we should continue to see more patent applications similar to this one.