Huawei Mate X apparently has a hidden camera - and might get an extra display

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In an exclusive chat with TechRadar at MWC 2019, Huawei’s CMO, Herman Zhu confirmed that there was a ‘secret’ camera underneath the foldable Mate X’s current array.

We noted that the Mate X changed the side of the phone that had a screen turned on, flipping automatically when taking a picture. 

When quizzed, Mr. Zhu said that this was Huaweil’s technology, and said there was a hidden fourth camera that nobody knows about.

• We went hands on with the Huawei Mate X
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• We've rounded up all the 5G phones to be launched in 2019

He wouldn’t elaborate beyond that, apart from gesturing below the current three camera array on the rear. 

If we were to speculate, we’d guess that there’s an additional sensor below there that’s capable of working out what’s in front of it - and a closer look at the images we have, using some contrast enhancements, does seem to indicate another sensor there.

http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vmRj4GFo5SXkrymaeYpxxA.jpg

We’ll find out more in the future about whether the Mate X is hiding some extra technology, which wouldn’t be surprising given how far off availability of the foldable phone is, but we’ll wait and see precisely what it features when we get more time with a final version.

The third place

There was one other surprise from Mr. Zhu - according to the CMO, Huawei’s ambition is to add another screen to the Mate X. 

Not an actual physical screen (like the LG DualScreen accessory), but a tweak to the Mate X’s user interface that would see the ‘spine’ of the device - when folded - displaying other information.

http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4b62f6180c098bc3a9968d1a775e9753.jpg

The separate screen of the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge

It would be similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, which used the curved side to pack icons and novel things like rulers or a news ticker - but we’ll have to wait and see if it actually appears, and how Huawei might make it work.

MWC (Mobile World Congress) is the world's largest showcase for the mobile industry, stuffed full of the newest phones, tablets, wearables and more. TechRadar is reporting live from Barcelona all week to bring you the very latest from the show floor. Head to our dedicated MWC 2019 hub to see all the new releases, along with TechRadar's world-class analysis and buying advice about your next phone. 

All images credit: TechRadar

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