This article originally appeared on ABACUS Smartphones in China have featured pop-up cameras for a while. But people in the US might struggle to get their hands on one, because few of those handsets are available in the country. The latest leak of the latest OnePlus smartphone suggests that’s about to change. OnePlus, the Chinese smartphone startup that made a mark in the West A photo posted on Weibo and Twitter by Chinese tech blogger Ice Universe shows what’s said to be a case built for the OnePlus 7. There’s a pretty big hole on the back, big enough that it looks like it’ll fit more than two cameras. This suggests that the phone would likely have a triple rear camera (plus the flash). OnePlus 7 pic.twitter.com/JQYI69s5ha — Ice universe (@UniverseIce) March 18, 2019 But what’s even more telling is the dent on the top right of the case. It matches with previous leaks of the OnePlus 7, pointing to a motorized selfie camera that springs up from atop -- just like the Vivo NEX from last year. At the time, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau seemed to suggest the photo was fake, saying one of them looked Photoshopped. CEO on purported leaked image of OnePlus 7: Looks photoshopped But it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see OnePlus borrowing features from Vivo phones. Together with Oppo, all three brands actually belong to the same mother company, BBK Electronics. The OnePlus 6T , for instance, adopted an in-screen fingerprint sensor and a teardrop notch that were previously seen on Vivo and Oppo phones. Last year, for the first time ever, OnePlus started partnering with a US carrier to sell its phones, bringing the 6T to more American consumers. But adding a pop-up camera to its next device could be somewhat controversial. Some fans already say they are worried about the camera’s durability. “As someone who uses face unlock most of a time, a pop out camera is a deal breaker for me,” said Redditor Ch4rly727 . Others say they are wary if the camera could prop up the phone’s price. After all, OnePlus is known for delivering high-power devices at budget prices. But it should be noted that Vivo has been able to deliver a pop-up camera on cheaper handsets in China. Yes, it’s true that the pioneering Vivo NEX cost around US$780 when it first came out, but this week’s new Vivo X27 costs over US$200 less. There’s still no official date on when the OnePlus 7 will come out, but Lau has hinted that the new phone won’t come with wireless charging. Then again, he said the pop-up camera leaks were Photoshopped, so who knows? For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters , subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast , and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report . Also roam China Tech City , an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus .
