This near-full-display smartphone takes out the bezel and notch in a very 2010 way — and it actually looks pretty cool

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Doogee created a smartphone that's almost all display by putting the camera on the back layer of a slider phone that moves vertically — a retro-move reminiscent of the Palm Pre.

Doogee is a relatively unknown company in the US, but those who have heard of it, know its phones for their affordability and minimal bezels. And the forthcoming Mix 4 model is no exception. Although the phone is not available yet, UK tech YouTuber Arun Maini (known as Mrwhosetheboss) got hold of a non-functional prototype. 

While we still don't know anything about how the phone's software works, the dummy prototype provides the first up-close look at its industrial design and durability.

Here's what we know based on his review:

This is the prototype for the Doogee Mix 4, and from the front it looks pretty minimalistic, sleek, and has plenty of display.

Doogee has four lines of smartphones, but this one is part of the Mix series — or the "bezel-less Smartphone." The first one came out in June 2017. 

When the back of the phone slides up, it exposes everything that would be included on a notch, including the camera lenses.

The additional layer makes the phone a little thicker than other leading smartphones on the market.

It's worth noting that a few manufacturers — including Apple and Samsung — are reportedly working on foldable phones that are also expected to be thicker than their predecessors. 

Reactions to the Mix 4 could tell us whether consumers are ready for a thicker phone, now that product designers have done everything they can to make them slimmer.

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