Potential Google Pixel 4 With Notch-Free Display Revealed In Patent Filing

In new patent filings that were uncovered this week, it looks as though onlookers won't have a notch mock on the forthcoming Pixel 4. Drawings found within the filing by 91mobiles hows a smartphone design that unmistakably fits in with the Pixel design aesthetic. On the front, we can see dual speakers -- one at top, and one at the bottom -- with no notch in sight. 

There is also no readily apparent spot for a front camera (or cameras). It's possible that Google could be using some under-the-display camera technology, but gadget leaker Ice Universe has previously indicated that such technology is at least a year away.

The hidden camera technology under the screen is immature, and there is not enough light to reach the camera through the screen. The photos taken by the current camera are very blurred. This technology will not be realized until 2020.

— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) November 9, 2018

Google could potentially go with a slider mechanism for the selfie camera, but that doesn't seem to be something that the folks from Mountain View would be bother with.

Moving to the back of the device, we can see familiar Pixel design themes including the upper panel which includes a single camera and LED flash. While other smartphone OEMs have shifted to dual, triple, or even quad cameras on the rear, Google is still delivering enviable image quality with just one camera. Why fix what isn't broken? We can also see the continued inclusion of a fingerprint in the center of smartphone's the back panel.

We have to keep in mind though that these are just patent filings and there's no guarantee that a design like this will be presented to consumers later this year. However, it's almost a certainty that the inevitable Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 SoC and will be running the Android Q operating system.

In other Pixel news, we reported earlier this week that Google's rumored Pixel 3 Lite and Pixel 3 XL Lite could be arriving very soon. In fact, the former even showed up on video with a Snapdragon 670 processor onboard.