Is the Xiaomi MI MIX Fold’s liquid lens the future?

            <p>
              The Xiaomi MI MIX Fold&#8217;s camera array has your usual main camera which features <a href="https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/isocell/mobile-image-sensors/isocell-bright-hmx/">a 108 MP Samsung sensor</a> and a 13 MP ultrawide camera which have become standard on modern smartphones. The camera featuring the liquid lens covers both macro and telephoto. In the image below it is the lens with the silver bezel with <em>30X </em>embossed. It apparently has a close focusing distance of 3 cm and a 3x optical zoom (and 30x hybrid zoom). Xiaomi is advertising this camera array as having <em>three sensors but four functions</em>.
            </p>
            
            <div class="wp-block-image">
              <figure class="aligncenter size-medium"><picture><source srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-400x246.avif 400w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-1024x630.avif 1024w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-768x473.avif 768w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-1536x945.avif 1536w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array.avif 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" type="image/avif"><source srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-400x246.webp 400w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-1024x630.webp 1024w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-768x473.webp 768w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-1536x945.webp 1536w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array.webp 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" type="image/webp"><img src="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-400x246.png" height="246" width="400" srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-400x246.png 400w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-1024x630.png 1024w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-768x473.png 768w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array-1536x945.png 1536w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-mix-fold-camera-array.png 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" class="wp-image-5487 sp-no-webp" alt="The Xiaomi MI MIX Fold camera array." loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> </picture><figcaption>The Xiaomi MI MIX Fold camera array</figcaption></figure>
            </div>
            
            <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="why-have-a-main-camera-and-liquid-lens-camera">
              Why have a main camera and liquid lens camera?
            </h3>
            
            <p>
              The presence of the main sensor on the Xiaomi MI MIX Fold does make me question the quality of the liquid lens system just a little. After all, <a href="https://fstoppers.com/gear/are-liquid-lenses-future-photography-557255">Xiaomi originally claimed the liquid lens could potentially replace the camera arrays</a> we see on modern phones. Are they including a &#8220;standard&#8221; camera because their technology isn&#8217;t quite up to scratch yet? Time, and more importantly reviews, will tell.
            </p>
            
            <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="the-mi-mix-fold-gets-an-inhouse-image-processing-chip">
              The MI MIX Fold gets an in-house image processing chip
            </h3>
            
            <p>
              Additionally, as if to prove that the liquid lens isn&#8217;t a flash in the pan, <a href="https://www.gizmochina.com/2021/03/30/380919-xiaomi-surge-c1-image-signal-processing-chip-china-features/">Xiaomi developed their own image processing chip</a> to control it. That&#8217;s kind of a big deal because not many smartphone manufacturers actually develop chips in-house. The Surge C1, as it is called, also helps deliver better auto-focus and auto-exposure, as well as automatic white-balance control.
            </p>
            
            <div class="wp-block-image">
              <figure class="aligncenter size-medium is-resized"><picture><source srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-400x249.avif 400w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-1024x638.avif 1024w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-768x479.avif 768w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1.avif 1190w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" type="image/avif"><source srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-400x249.webp 400w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-1024x638.webp 1024w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-768x479.webp 768w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1.webp 1190w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" type="image/webp"><img src="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-400x249.png" height="125" width="200" srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-400x249.png 400w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-1024x638.png 1024w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1-768x479.png 768w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/mi-surge-c1.png 1190w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" class="wp-image-5520 sp-no-webp" alt="The Xiaomi MI SURGE C1 image processing chip, Xioami's first in-house chip" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> </picture><figcaption>The Xiaomi MI SURGE C1 image processing chip</figcaption></figure>
            </div>
            
            <p>
              Google used to do something similar with their Pixel Visual Core (later renamed Pixel Neural Core), but gave up on it, starting with the Google Pixel 4a, with no sign of it returning. The custom image processing chip is bound to add some costs to the manufacturing, but if it delivers it is, in my opinion, well worth the price.
            </p>
            
            <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="what-are-liquid-lenses-and-why-is-xiaomi-using-one">
              What are liquid lenses, and why is Xiaomi using one?
            </h2>
            
            <p>
              With the MI MIX Fold covered, let&#8217;s take a closer look at what liquid lenses for smartphone cameras are and why they might be the standard in a couple of years time. With liquid lenses, the angle at which the light is broken can be changed without having to increase or decrease the distance between multiple pieces of glass, as is the case with a camera&#8217;s zoom lens or the more recently seen periscope cameras on smartphones.
            </p>
            
            <div class="gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-94b5b9f0 gb-grid-wrapper-main">
              <div class="gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-52ebc7e4">
                <div class="gb-container gb-container-52ebc7e4">
                  <div class="gb-inside-container">
                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><picture><source srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-1024x576.avif 1024w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-400x225.avif 400w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-768x432.avif 768w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow.avif 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" type="image/avif"><source srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-1024x576.webp 1024w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-400x225.webp 400w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-768x432.webp 768w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow.webp 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" type="image/webp"><img src="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-1024x576.jpg" height="576" width="1024" srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-400x225.jpg 400w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow-768x432.jpg 768w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-narrow.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" class="wp-image-5522 sp-no-webp" alt="The Xiaomi MI MIX Fold liquid lens with a narrow field of view" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> </picture><figcaption>Narrow field of view</figcaption></figure>
                  </div>
                </div>
              </div>
              
              <div class="gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-3487a33f">
                <div class="gb-container gb-container-3487a33f">
                  <div class="gb-inside-container">
                    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><picture><source srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-1024x576.avif 1024w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-400x225.avif 400w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-768x432.avif 768w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide.avif 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" type="image/avif"><source srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-1024x576.webp 1024w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-400x225.webp 400w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-768x432.webp 768w,https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide.webp 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" type="image/webp"><img src="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-1024x576.jpg" height="576" width="1024" srcset="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-400x225.jpg 400w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide-768x432.jpg 768w, https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens-wide.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" class="wp-image-5523 sp-no-webp" alt="The Xiaomi MI MIX Fold liquid lens with a wide field of view" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> </picture><figcaption>Wide field of view</figcaption></figure>
                  </div>
                </div>
              </div>
            </div>
            
            <p>
              This allows liquid lenses to overcome depth of field limitations. In theory, by using a liquid lens, an imaging system can change focus without compromising speed or image quality, regardless of the object’s distance from the camera.
            </p>
            
            <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="liquid-lenses-have-been-around-for-years">
              Liquid lenses have been around for years
            </h3>
            
            <p>
              Liquid lenses aren&#8217;t anything new. In fact, they&#8217;ve been around for years. They&#8217;re commonly used in <a href="https://www.edmundoptics.com/knowledge-center/application-notes/imaging/liquid-lenses-in-imaging/#:~:text=Liquid%20lenses%20are%20small%2C%20mechanically,length%20and%20WD%2C%20to%20shift.">machine vision, life sciences, and UAVs</a>. <a href="https://newatlas.com/mobile-technology/xiaomi-mi-mix-liquid-lens/">Corning Varioptic and Samsung were even working together on a liquid lens for smartphones</a> in the early naughties. They even went as far as to announcing that their first phone with such a lens would be available commercially by 2005. That obviously never happened and, perhaps sadly, nothing has been heard of this partnership since then.
            </p>
            
            <div style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; " id="liama-243274882" data-cfptl="1" data-cfpa="1580" data-cfpw="1580">
              <div class="liama-adlabel">
                Advertisements
              </div>
              
              <!--noptimize-->
              
              <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px;" 

            <p>
              Speaking of Corning Varioptic, them and Optotune are currently the two leading manufacturers of liquid lenses. But, it appears that Xiaomi isn&#8217;t working with either of them, and are instead using an in-house developed technology. Or maybe there&#8217;s someone we don&#8217;t know about developing liquid lenses too.
            </p>
            
            <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="how-the-xiaomi-mi-mix-fold-liquid-lens-works">
              How the Xiaomi MI MIX Fold liquid lens works
            </h3>
            
            <p>
              And if we take a quick look at the leaked video that appeared before the Mi Mix Fold was announced, we can clearly see how Xiaomi&#8217;s liquid lens works. There is a spherical surface, which is the liquid lens. The radius of that surface&#8217;s curvature can be accurately changed using a high-precision motor. Once the motor pushes the surface outwards, the liquid takes on a concave form which will lead to the lens having a narrower field of view.
            </p><figure class="wp-block-video"><video controls src="https://liamalexandercolman.local:8183/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/xiaomi-liquid-lens.webm"></video></figure> 
            
            <p>
              On a very basic level, Xiaomi&#8217;s liquid lens imitates the way our eyes work. The ciliary muscle can contract and relax, changing the shape of the eye&#8217;s lens and allowing us to focus. If we take a look at the leaked video again, we can see how a motor replaces the muscle, but the principle remains the same.
            </p>
            
            <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="the-xiaomi-mi-mix-folds-liquid-lens-wont-freeze-or-evaporate">
              The Xiaomi MI MIX Fold&#8217;s liquid lens won&#8217;t freeze or evaporate
            </h3>
            
            <p>
              Despite many voicing their worries, there is no chance of the liquid lens freezing or evaporating in &#8220;normal&#8221; temperatures. The Xiaomi MI MIX Fold&#8217;s liquid lens can maintain a fluid form in an environment from a low of -40° C to a high of 60° C.
            </p>
            
            <div style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; " id="liama-1012024584" data-cfptl="1" data-cfpa="1580" data-cfpw="1580">
              <div class="liama-adlabel">
                Advertisements
              </div>
              
              <!--noptimize-->
              
              <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px;" 

            <p>
              And if you&#8217;re thinking the upper limit might be an issue, keep in mind that your lithium-ion battery will also struggle at 60° C and -40° C would also present some issues. For example, Apple recommends keeping an iPhone between 0° C and 35° C while storing it between -20° C and 45° C.
            </p>
            
            <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="are-liquid-lenses-going-to-appear-everywhere">
              Are liquid lenses going to appear everywhere?
            </h2>
            
            <p>
              In my opinion, a liquid lens setup such as the one in the Xiaomi MI MIX Fold is not going to be the norm anytime soon. But in the long-term, as the technology matures, it could be possible that liquid lenses will replace the crazy camera arrays found on modern smartphones.
            </p>
            
            <p>
              With Xiaomi&#8217;s implementation on the MI MIX Fold you do have moving parts in the high-precision motors and moving parts are easier to break than non-moving parts. Perhaps it will take an alternative implementation, such as something similar to Corning Varioptic, which uses electrowetting, for liquid lenses to hit the mainstream.
            </p>
            
            <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="will-samsung-apple-and-google-join-the-liquid-lens-party">
              Will Samsung, Apple, and Google join the liquid lens party?
            </h3>
            
            <p>
              Perhaps in three, four, or five years from now we will see a liquid lens on a mainstream high-end smartphone. And then add on a couple of years to that before Apple will be calling it their next great innovation. But before that can happen we will most likely be seeing more and more Chinese models featuring them.
            </p>
            
            <div class="gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-7aed0aea">
              <div class="gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-eec31ee8">
                <div class="gb-container gb-container-eec31ee8">
                  <div class="gb-inside-container">
                    <h3 class="gb-headline gb-headline-cae46720 gb-headline-text" id="google-pixel-5">
                      Google Pixel 5
                    </h3>
                    
                    <div class="gb-container gb-container-b4868e4e">
                      <div class="gb-inside-container">
                        <p class="gb-headline gb-headline-030b9cff gb-headline-text">
                          <strong>Display:</strong> 6.0&#8243;, FHD+ (1080 x 2340), Flexible OLED, 90 Hz
                        </p>
                        
                        <p class="gb-headline gb-headline-73621d2b gb-headline-text">
                          <strong>Memory and storage:</strong> 8 GB LPDDR4x RAM &#8211; 128 GB storage
                        </p>
                        
                        <p class="gb-headline gb-headline-50cea44a gb-headline-text">
                          <strong>Water and dust resistant:</strong> Yes
                        </p>
                      </div>
                    </div>
                    
                    <div class="gb-button-wrapper gb-button-wrapper-92d38818">
                      <a class="gb-button gb-button-e6fc82e3" href="https://www.amazon.com/Google-Pixel-Resistant-Smartphone-Ultrawide/dp/B08H8X23ZB?dchild=1&keywords=google+pixel+5&qid=1619160716&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=liamalexcolmannet-20&linkId=128d3f673143c965412d993072046325&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl"><span class="gb-icon"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
                      
                      <title>
                        Amazon icon
                      </title><path d="M.045 18.02c.072-.116.187-.124.348-.022 3.636 2.11 7.594 3.166 11.87 3.166 2.852 0 5.668-.533 8.447-1.595l.315-.14c.138-.06.234-.1.293-.13.226-.088.39-.046.525.13.12.174.09.336-.12.48-.256.19-.6.41-1.006.654-1.244.743-2.64 1.316-4.185 1.726a17.617 17.617 0 01-10.951-.577 17.88 17.88 0 01-5.43-3.35c-.1-.074-.151-.15-.151-.22 0-.047.021-.09.051-.13zm6.565-6.218c0-1.005.247-1.863.743-2.577.495-.71 1.17-1.25 2.04-1.615.796-.335 1.756-.575 2.912-.72.39-.046 1.033-.103 1.92-.174v-.37c0-.93-.105-1.558-.3-1.875-.302-.43-.78-.65-1.44-.65h-.182c-.48.046-.896.196-1.246.46-.35.27-.575.63-.675 1.096-.06.3-.206.465-.435.51l-2.52-.315c-.248-.06-.372-.18-.372-.39 0-.046.007-.09.022-.15.247-1.29.855-2.25 1.82-2.88.976-.616 2.1-.975 3.39-1.05h.54c1.65 0 2.957.434 3.888 1.29.135.15.27.3.405.48.12.165.224.314.283.45.075.134.15.33.195.57.06.254.105.42.135.51.03.104.062.3.076.615.01.313.02.493.02.553v5.28c0 .376.06.72.165 1.036.105.313.21.54.315.674l.51.674c.09.136.136.256.136.36 0 .12-.06.226-.18.314-1.2 1.05-1.86 1.62-1.963 1.71-.165.135-.375.15-.63.045a6.062 6.062 0 01-.526-.496l-.31-.347a9.391 9.391 0 01-.317-.42l-.3-.435c-.81.886-1.603 1.44-2.4 1.665-.494.15-1.093.227-1.83.227-1.11 0-2.04-.343-2.76-1.034-.72-.69-1.08-1.665-1.08-2.94l-.05-.076zm3.753-.438c0 .566.14 1.02.425 1.364.285.34.675.512 1.155.512.045 0 .106-.007.195-.02.09-.016.134-.023.166-.023.614-.16 1.08-.553 1.424-1.178.165-.28.285-.58.36-.91.09-.32.12-.59.135-.8.015-.195.015-.54.015-1.005v-.54c-.84 0-1.484.06-1.92.18-1.275.36-1.92 1.17-1.92 2.43l-.035-.02zm9.162 7.027c.03-.06.075-.11.132-.17.362-.243.714-.41 1.05-.5a8.094 8.094 0 011.612-.24c.14-.012.28 0 .41.03.65.06 1.05.168 1.172.33.063.09.099.228.099.39v.15c0 .51-.149 1.11-.424 1.8-.278.69-.664 1.248-1.156 1.68-.073.06-.14.09-.197.09-.03 0-.06 0-.09-.012-.09-.044-.107-.12-.064-.24.54-1.26.806-2.143.806-2.64 0-.15-.03-.27-.087-.344-.145-.166-.55-.257-1.224-.257-.243 0-.533.016-.87.046-.363.045-.7.09-1 .135-.09 0-.148-.014-.18-.044-.03-.03-.036-.047-.02-.077 0-.017.006-.03.02-.063v-.06z"></path></svg></span>
                      
                      <span class="gb-button-text">Buy on Amazon</span></a>
                    </div>
                  </div>
                </div>
              </div>
              
              <div class="gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-f455e379">
                <div class="gb-container gb-container-f455e379">
                  <div class="gb-inside-container">
                    <h3 class="gb-headline gb-headline-b03b60b9 gb-headline-text" id="samsung-galaxy-s21-5g">
                      Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
                    </h3>
                    
                    <div class="gb-container gb-container-befa0c17">
                      <div class="gb-inside-container">
                        <p class="gb-headline gb-headline-ded59557 gb-headline-text">
                          <strong>Display:</strong> 6.2&#8243;, FHD+ (1080 x 2400), Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz
                        </p>
                        
                        <p class="gb-headline gb-headline-7537a0ea gb-headline-text">
                          <strong>Memory and storage:</strong> 128 GB &#8211; 8 GB RAM or 256 GB 8 GB RAM
                        </p>
                        
                        <p class="gb-headline gb-headline-2d0e798c gb-headline-text">
                          <strong>Water and dust resistant:</strong> IP68
                        </p>
                      </div>
                    </div>
                    
                    <div class="gb-button-wrapper gb-button-wrapper-d043bc98">
                      <a class="gb-button gb-button-13081065" href="https://www.amazon.com/Unlocked-International-Smartphone-Pro-Grade-SM-G991B/dp/B08X6FMX14?crid=2EU9N2QL4BQWJ&dchild=1&keywords=samsung%2Bgalaxy%2Bs21&qid=1619160811&sprefix=samsung%2Bgalaxy%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-3&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=liamalexcolmannet-20&linkId=71c4be810974b55b5b8039b370398338&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl"><span class="gb-icon"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
                      
                      <title>
                        Amazon icon
                      </title><path d="M.045 18.02c.072-.116.187-.124.348-.022 3.636 2.11 7.594 3.166 11.87 3.166 2.852 0 5.668-.533 8.447-1.595l.315-.14c.138-.06.234-.1.293-.13.226-.088.39-.046.525.13.12.174.09.336-.12.48-.256.19-.6.41-1.006.654-1.244.743-2.64 1.316-4.185 1.726a17.617 17.617 0 01-10.951-.577 17.88 17.88 0 01-5.43-3.35c-.1-.074-.151-.15-.151-.22 0-.047.021-.09.051-.13zm6.565-6.218c0-1.005.247-1.863.743-2.577.495-.71 1.17-1.25 2.04-1.615.796-.335 1.756-.575 2.912-.72.39-.046 1.033-.103 1.92-.174v-.37c0-.93-.105-1.558-.3-1.875-.302-.43-.78-.65-1.44-.65h-.182c-.48.046-.896.196-1.246.46-.35.27-.575.63-.675 1.096-.06.3-.206.465-.435.51l-2.52-.315c-.248-.06-.372-.18-.372-.39 0-.046.007-.09.022-.15.247-1.29.855-2.25 1.82-2.88.976-.616 2.1-.975 3.39-1.05h.54c1.65 0 2.957.434 3.888 1.29.135.15.27.3.405.48.12.165.224.314.283.45.075.134.15.33.195.57.06.254.105.42.135.51.03.104.062.3.076.615.01.313.02.493.02.553v5.28c0 .376.06.72.165 1.036.105.313.21.54.315.674l.51.674c.09.136.136.256.136.36 0 .12-.06.226-.18.314-1.2 1.05-1.86 1.62-1.963 1.71-.165.135-.375.15-.63.045a6.062 6.062 0 01-.526-.496l-.31-.347a9.391 9.391 0 01-.317-.42l-.3-.435c-.81.886-1.603 1.44-2.4 1.665-.494.15-1.093.227-1.83.227-1.11 0-2.04-.343-2.76-1.034-.72-.69-1.08-1.665-1.08-2.94l-.05-.076zm3.753-.438c0 .566.14 1.02.425 1.364.285.34.675.512 1.155.512.045 0 .106-.007.195-.02.09-.016.134-.023.166-.023.614-.16 1.08-.553 1.424-1.178.165-.28.285-.58.36-.91.09-.32.12-.59.135-.8.015-.195.015-.54.015-1.005v-.54c-.84 0-1.484.06-1.92.18-1.275.36-1.92 1.17-1.92 2.43l-.035-.02zm9.162 7.027c.03-.06.075-.11.132-.17.362-.243.714-.41 1.05-.5a8.094 8.094 0 011.612-.24c.14-.012.28 0 .41.03.65.06 1.05.168 1.172.33.063.09.099.228.099.39v.15c0 .51-.149 1.11-.424 1.8-.278.69-.664 1.248-1.156 1.68-.073.06-.14.09-.197.09-.03 0-.06 0-.09-.012-.09-.044-.107-.12-.064-.24.54-1.26.806-2.143.806-2.64 0-.15-.03-.27-.087-.344-.145-.166-.55-.257-1.224-.257-.243 0-.533.016-.87.046-.363.045-.7.09-1 .135-.09 0-.148-.014-.18-.044-.03-.03-.036-.047-.02-.077 0-.017.006-.03.02-.063v-.06z"></path></svg></span>
                      
                      <span class="gb-button-text">Buy on Amazon</span></a>
                    </div>
                  </div>
                </div>
              </div>
              
              <div class="gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-87f6c417">
                <div class="gb-container gb-container-87f6c417">
                  <div class="gb-inside-container">
                    <h3 class="gb-headline gb-headline-03ea6417 gb-headline-text" id="apple-iphone-12">
                      Apple iPhone 12
                    </h3>
                    
                    <div class="gb-container gb-container-42fe7a72">
                      <div class="gb-inside-container">
                        <p class="gb-headline gb-headline-e0f431e2 gb-headline-text">
                          <strong>Display:</strong> 6.1&#8243;, Super Retina XDR display
                        </p>
                        
                        <p class="gb-headline gb-headline-af31a1f2 gb-headline-text">
                          <strong>Memory and storage:</strong> 64, 128, 256 GB storage &#8211; 4GB RAM
                        </p>
                        
                        <p class="gb-headline gb-headline-c50470a2 gb-headline-text">
                          <strong>Water and dust resistant:</strong> IP68
                        </p>
                      </div>
                    </div>
                    
                    <div class="gb-button-wrapper gb-button-wrapper-e6ce3f9b">
                      <a class="gb-button gb-button-1e9d4e1a" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L5P7DYY/ref_=vn_s_iwp_2?pd_rd_w=u2Yys&pf_rd_p=84cbcc8f-0fe2-44fc-ae2a-87f8b101dbca&pf_rd_r=1VEE5TJCRZJ0V471QJ31&pd_rd_r=37a8530d-2cdd-4b7a-9294-e87afc535073&pd_rd_wg=DDv6P&qid=1619160933&linkCode=ll2&tag=liamalexcolmannet-20&linkId=472d62de3e6e3d2381a1d1c521d484fc&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl"><span class="gb-icon"><svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
                      
                      <title>
                        Amazon icon
                      </title><path d="M.045 18.02c.072-.116.187-.124.348-.022 3.636 2.11 7.594 3.166 11.87 3.166 2.852 0 5.668-.533 8.447-1.595l.315-.14c.138-.06.234-.1.293-.13.226-.088.39-.046.525.13.12.174.09.336-.12.48-.256.19-.6.41-1.006.654-1.244.743-2.64 1.316-4.185 1.726a17.617 17.617 0 01-10.951-.577 17.88 17.88 0 01-5.43-3.35c-.1-.074-.151-.15-.151-.22 0-.047.021-.09.051-.13zm6.565-6.218c0-1.005.247-1.863.743-2.577.495-.71 1.17-1.25 2.04-1.615.796-.335 1.756-.575 2.912-.72.39-.046 1.033-.103 1.92-.174v-.37c0-.93-.105-1.558-.3-1.875-.302-.43-.78-.65-1.44-.65h-.182c-.48.046-.896.196-1.246.46-.35.27-.575.63-.675 1.096-.06.3-.206.465-.435.51l-2.52-.315c-.248-.06-.372-.18-.372-.39 0-.046.007-.09.022-.15.247-1.29.855-2.25 1.82-2.88.976-.616 2.1-.975 3.39-1.05h.54c1.65 0 2.957.434 3.888 1.29.135.15.27.3.405.48.12.165.224.314.283.45.075.134.15.33.195.57.06.254.105.42.135.51.03.104.062.3.076.615.01.313.02.493.02.553v5.28c0 .376.06.72.165 1.036.105.313.21.54.315.674l.51.674c.09.136.136.256.136.36 0 .12-.06.226-.18.314-1.2 1.05-1.86 1.62-1.963 1.71-.165.135-.375.15-.63.045a6.062 6.062 0 01-.526-.496l-.31-.347a9.391 9.391 0 01-.317-.42l-.3-.435c-.81.886-1.603 1.44-2.4 1.665-.494.15-1.093.227-1.83.227-1.11 0-2.04-.343-2.76-1.034-.72-.69-1.08-1.665-1.08-2.94l-.05-.076zm3.753-.438c0 .566.14 1.02.425 1.364.285.34.675.512 1.155.512.045 0 .106-.007.195-.02.09-.016.134-.023.166-.023.614-.16 1.08-.553 1.424-1.178.165-.28.285-.58.36-.91.09-.32.12-.59.135-.8.015-.195.015-.54.015-1.005v-.54c-.84 0-1.484.06-1.92.18-1.275.36-1.92 1.17-1.92 2.43l-.035-.02zm9.162 7.027c.03-.06.075-.11.132-.17.362-.243.714-.41 1.05-.5a8.094 8.094 0 011.612-.24c.14-.012.28 0 .41.03.65.06 1.05.168 1.172.33.063.09.099.228.099.39v.15c0 .51-.149 1.11-.424 1.8-.278.69-.664 1.248-1.156 1.68-.073.06-.14.09-.197.09-.03 0-.06 0-.09-.012-.09-.044-.107-.12-.064-.24.54-1.26.806-2.143.806-2.64 0-.15-.03-.27-.087-.344-.145-.166-.55-.257-1.224-.257-.243 0-.533.016-.87.046-.363.045-.7.09-1 .135-.09 0-.148-.014-.18-.044-.03-.03-.036-.047-.02-.077 0-.017.006-.03.02-.063v-.06z"></path></svg></span>
                      
                      <span class="gb-button-text">Buy on Amazon</span></a>
                    </div>
                  </div>
                </div>
              </div>
            </div>
            
            <p>
              Especially Xiaomi will not want to see all the money invested in the R&D go to waste. I mention Chinese manufacturers because that is the way smartphone development currently works. Samsung, Google, and Apple will generally wait a few years for a new technology to mature before featuring it in any of their flagships. Chinese manufacturers on the other hand will use anything new and exciting, no matter the quality or usefulness.
            </p>
            
            <p>
              For example, the first pop up selfie camera appeared on the vivo NEX 3 and the vivo X21 was the first phone to feature an under-screen fingerprint sensor. Oppo was the first to use a periscope camera for real zoom and not just digital zoom, and they are really pushing the limits on fast charging. Currently, they are even putting two battery cells instead of one in their smartphone, allowing both to be charge simultaneously. The Huawei P20 Pro had the first triple camera setup and ZTE used the first under screen camera. It isn&#8217;t good, but it&#8217;s there, and they can claim to have been the first to do it.
            </p>
            
            <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="summary">
              Summary
            </h2>
            
            <p>
              To sum things up, I firmly believe that liquid lenses, such as the one found on Xiaomi MI MIX Fold, could be the standard in a few years time. Camera arrays take up a lot of space which could otherwise be used to expand the battery (or to bring back the headphone jack!). Each sensor in an array obviously costs a pretty penny and thus liquid lenses could lead to cheaper smartphones. But, a liquid lens will have to perform reliably and the quality has to be at least as good as the alternative.
            </p>
            
            <p>
              I wouldn&#8217;t go out and buy a Xiaomi MI MIX Fold just because of the liquid camera. It&#8217;s a first-generation product and as usual, you should let others test them before investing yourself. But I am excited to see how liquid lenses will develop.
            </p>