Under-Display Cameras Explained: How Invisible Front Cameras Work and Should You Buy One?

Under-display camera technology has become one of the most anticipated engineering breakthroughs in the mobile industry, promising users truly bezel-less displays without notches or cutouts. However, in practice, Under Display Camera (UDC) technology has faced the harsh laws of physics. Manufacturers have had to seek a compromise between screen pixel density and the image sensor's ability to capture light.

In this article, we'll explore how invisible front cameras work, why their photos often suffer from artifacts, and which devices with this technology are worth considering when buying a new smartphone.

What Is an Under-Display Camera (UDC) and How Does It Work?

The UDC concept is based on placing the camera sensor directly beneath the active display matrix. When the camera is not in use, the area above it displays the system interface or content, visually blending with the rest of the screen. When the selfie camera is activated, the pixels in this zone turn off or adjust their brightness to allow light to reach the lens.

The main issue is that a standard display is completely opaque. Layers of polarizers, metal wiring, and the diodes themselves create an impenetrable barrier. To overcome this physical obstacle, engineers had to rethink the architecture of the display above the lens, creating a semi-transparent "window."

The Physics of Transparent OLED Panels: How Light Passes Through Pixels

Only OLED panels are suitable for UDC, as they lack a unified backlight layer-each subpixel is its own light source. To allow photons to reach the lens, manufacturers artificially reduce the pixel density (PPI) in a small square above the camera. If the main display offers 400 PPI, the area above the sensor can drop to 200 PPI or lower.

New materials play a crucial role. Opaque wiring is replaced with ultra-thin tracks made from transparent indium tin oxide (ITO). The diodes themselves are made smaller, with wider gaps between them. You can trace the evolution of display technologies in the article Evolution of Displays: From CRT to OLED, Mini-LED and MicroLED.

Even after all these engineering tricks, the area above the camera acts as a microscopic grid. Light must penetrate layers of glass, insulation, and a pixel mesh. This inevitably leads to a sharp drop in light transmission and optical distortion before the light even reaches the camera sensor.

Why Do Selfies from Under-Display Cameras Still Have Artifacts?

Diffraction, Lack of Light, and Optical Distortion

When light passes through the minuscule gaps between display pixels, the diffraction effect occurs. Light waves bend around obstacles, distort, and overlap. In finished photos, this appears as a bothersome halo effect-bright light sources like street lamps or the sun take on a blurry glow and radiant halos.

The second critical problem is a simple lack of light. Even the most advanced and transparent screen layers absorb a huge percentage of photons. Only a fraction of the visual information reaches the camera sensor compared to a regular cutout. The sensor is forced to operate in a constant state of "light starvation."

To compensate for darkness, the camera's automation increases sensitivity (ISO) or lengthens exposure. This inevitably results in digital noise, blurred images with the slightest movement, and loss of detail. Additionally, the display materials distort color rendering, making skin tones in selfies look pale or unnatural.

How Neural Networks and AI Algorithms Try to Rescue Photo Quality

Since the laws of optics can't be cheated, smartphone makers have moved the battle for image quality into the software realm. Immediately after you press the shutter button, image processors and neural networks step in. Their job is to literally "reconstruct" what the camera couldn't physically capture.

AI algorithms are trained on millions of photo pairs: one shot through the display, the other directly. The neural network learns to recognize the specific moiré from the pixel grid, remove diffraction glare, and boost sharpness via software. For more on how software enhances weak hardware data, check the article Computational Photography: How AI and Algorithms Are Changing Smartphone Cameras.

However, software processing has its limits. Algorithms often over-smooth skin texture, making faces look like plastic masks. Fine details-such as individual hairs, eyelashes, or fabric textures-may be mistaken by the neural network for digital noise and aggressively blurred out.

Technology Evolution: From Early Failures to Next-Generation Matrices

The first commercial UDC smartphones were more of a bold experiment than a successful product. The rectangle above the camera stood out against the rest of the display, appeared pixelated, and was noticeable when viewing light content. Photos resembled early 2000s webcam shots-blurry, dull, and lacking sharpness.

Engineers quickly realized that simply lowering pixel density wasn't effective. In the second and third generations, the shape of the diodes and their circuitry changed. Wiring was laid out in complex zigzag patterns to minimize light refraction at right angles. The subpixels above the camera were made from more transparent organic compounds.

Modern UDC iterations have advanced significantly. Today, the area above the lens is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the display when reading, gaming, or watching videos. Selfie quality has also improved, making front cameras usable for video calls without discomfort, though they still can't compete with classic cameras in flagship phones.

The Best Under-Display Camera Smartphones on the Market: What to Buy

The market for phones with invisible front cameras remains niche, but several brands are consistently developing in this area. The undisputed leader in UDC implementation is ZTE with its gaming-focused Red Magic series. Models like the Red Magic 9 Pro offer a completely flat screen with no cutout at all, making them ideal for gaming and watching movies. The camera zone is virtually invisible even on a white background.

Another major player is Samsung and its foldable flagship Galaxy Z Fold series. The under-display camera module is traditionally placed on the large internal display. Korean engineers position this camera exclusively for video calls, understanding that users will close the phone and use the outer screen's regular camera for high-quality selfies.

Should You Buy a Phone with an Under-Display Camera in 2026? (Pros and Cons)

The main argument in favor is the flawless visual experience. Content consumption reaches a new level when the interface isn't interrupted by black holes or dynamic islands. Phones with invisible cameras offer a sense of true futurism and perfect symmetry on the front panel-an appeal for many buyers.

But the downsides remain significant. If you're active on social media, regularly vlog, or demand sharp facial detail in photos, UDC technology may disappoint you. The physics of transparent smartphone matrices haven't been overcome-images will always lag behind traditional solutions in detail and dynamic range.

Repairability is another consideration. Replacing such a display after a major drop is much more expensive due to the complex multilayer matrix and the need for precise calibration of the "transparent window" above the optics.

Conclusion

Under-display cameras have come a long way from raw prototypes to functional commercial solutions. Today, the area above the lens can be masked so well that it blends seamlessly with the interface, without annoying pixel grids or color distortions.

Choosing a UDC device depends entirely on your use case. If you value a clean, bezel-less display for gaming and reading, and only take selfies a couple of times a year, feel free to opt for such a smartphone. Mobile photography enthusiasts and bloggers are better off sticking with traditional devices featuring familiar display cutouts for now.

FAQ

1. Is the camera square visible under the display when watching videos?

   On modern display generations, the camera area may be slightly noticeable only at sharp angles or on a very bright white background. During typical video playback or gaming, it visually disappears and doesn't attract attention.

2. Can you remove the "blurriness" from UDC photos with software?

   Partially. The smartphone's built-in neural networks do this automatically during shooting. Third-party editors can add sharpness, but it's impossible to fully recover lost physical details (like skin texture) that the sensor couldn't capture.

3. Does a screen protector affect selfie quality with an under-display camera?

   Yes, significantly. Any extra layer of glass or film introduces new light refractions and enhances diffraction. Cheap protectors with poor adhesive can make photos completely unreadable.

4. When will iPhones with invisible under-display cameras launch?

   Apple traditionally doesn't adopt new technologies until they're perfectly refined. Given current limitations in light transmission and the need for complex Face ID sensors, truly bezel-less iPhones aren't expected before 2027.