Xiaomi Patents Smartphone With Inverted Notch

We are very specific when it comes to our smartphones, in terms of cameras, colors and overall design but, arguably, the most talked-about detail when it comes to our handsets is the notch.

The notch has been the subject of a lot of debate in the past few years, with most smartphone manufacturers trying to minimize or eliminate it altogether, while others … well, let’s say it gets pretty wild sometimes, as is the case with this new Xiaomi patent.

TigerMobiles has unearthed a patent Xiaomi has filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) for a smartphone that features a triple camera selfie setup.

While the patent shows the cameras tucked into the top of the phone, another iteration of the design places a notch hosting them right past the top edge of the phone.

On the back, the notch is completely blank, at least from what we can tell from the patent – Xiaomi might use that empty space for branding, for example.

However, I’d love to know what made Xiaomi think this was a good enough idea to patent. It’s not only unsightly but it would also cause the cameras to become easily damaged.

We have to keep in mind patents don’t mean that -in this case, thankfully- the designs will ever see the light of the production line.