While there is evidence that the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will have an in-display selfie camera, there are also reports that the technology won't be ready in time, and if not, Samsung could at least make the most of a hole-punch camera. No fewer than five design patents filed with the CNIPA (China National Intellectual Property Administration) and detected by LetsGoDigital show a selfie camera design with a status indicator around or next to it. This indicator is a narrow strip that in some cases surrounds the entire camera lens, while in others it can be seen below or to the right.
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(Image credit: Samsung / LetsGoDigital) Being so limited, it can't display much information, but it can be used (for example) to show the progress of a download, or as a timer in a time-lapse recording. Think of it as a convenient way to see the progress of things on your phone without interacting with the phone or even turning on the screen. The patents show single and dual lens patches left, center and right on the screen, so they give no real indication as to the design of the camera this system would be associated with, as all options are presented. . As always with patents, it should be noted that they are often not used in commercial products, so there is no guarantee that this idea will come to light, even if five patents prove it. If so, there's no guarantee the system will debut on the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 either: it could land on the Samsung Galaxy S30 or other phones. But with Samsung seemingly working to phase out the hole-punch camera entirely, only a limited number of future phones really have the potential to use it, and as Samsung's next biggest smartphone, the Galaxy Note 20 is a prime contender.