OPPO's New Bubble Accessory Lets You Take Better Selfies With Your Phone's Main Camera

OPPO, a Chinese smartphone maker, has launched a new accessory called the Bubble Trendy Selfie Screen. It's a small round screen that sticks magnetically to the back of your phone and lets you see what your main camera sees — so you can frame selfies and group photos using your phone's best camera instead of the weaker front-facing one.

Think of it this way: most phones have two cameras — one on the front for video calls and selfies, and one on the back for regular photos. The back camera is almost always better. The Bubble accessory solves the awkward problem of taking selfies with your back camera: you can't see what you're shooting. Now you can. The small round screen attaches with magnets (similar to how Apple's MagSafe works) and shows you a live preview while you shoot.

The accessory does more than just photography. The round screen can also display animated backgrounds or static images when you're not using the camera, turning the back of your phone into a second display.

How It Works and What Phones It Fits

The Bubble uses a magnetic mounting system, which means it clicks onto the back of compatible OPPO phones and can be removed just as easily. You don't need to buy a case or stick anything permanently to your phone.

The device also lets you control the camera remotely — you can trigger the shutter without touching your phone, which is useful if you're setting up a group shot or want to avoid camera shake when you press the button. OPPO hasn't released all the technical details yet, but the company has built gesture controls into other phones before, so similar touchless features may be included here.

The Bubble launched alongside several other new OPPO products, including the Reno16 smartphone series, a tablet called the Pad 6, and earbuds called the Enco Air 5s. OPPO is building out a wider range of accessories and devices that work together as a system.

Why This Matters

The gap between front and back cameras has been a real problem in phone design for over a decade. Front cameras are small partly because phones need to be thin, and partly because manufacturers save money by not putting expensive technology on the front. The back camera has room for a bigger lens and more advanced features, so photos come out sharper and clearer.

The Bubble sidesteps this problem entirely. Instead of asking phone makers to squeeze better front cameras into thin phones, it just makes the back camera usable for selfies. The magnetic attachment means you only use it when you want enhanced photos — the rest of the time your phone works normally.

This approach allows phone makers to improve selfie photos without redesigning the entire phone or making it thicker or more expensive. Other manufacturers will likely watch how people respond to the Bubble to decide whether they should make something similar.

The Bubble is available first in China. OPPO hasn't announced international pricing or availability yet, and how well it sells in China will shape whether it launches worldwide.