Samsung’s Galaxy S9 was the first smartphone to include a dual-aperture camera technology. In low-light circumstances, it allowed the phone to expand the camera’s aperture to F1.5, allowing more light in at the expense of slightly blurrier edges. For clearer photos in daylight, the camera’s aperture was kept at F2.4. The technology was also present in the Galaxy S10 series, however, with the Galaxy S20 series, Samsung dropped it. Now, it appears that the business is working on a dual-aperture solution for triple-camera smartphones.
Samsung has filed a new patent with the USPTO that outlines how moveable camera sensors may be utilized to switch between two lenses with different aperture settings. The patent depicts a triple-camera system with each sensor having the ability to alter its location. The camera sensors are normally lined out horizontally in their typical configuration. They may, however, be moved with the use of a gear and rack system. The middle camera travels up and down, while the other two sensors move side to side.
The camera sensors are placed in a triangular arrangement in their alternate configuration. They are hidden behind secondary lenses with different aperture settings than the primary lenses. According to the patent, when the cameras are organized in a triangular arrangement, they use wider aperture lenses, but when they are positioned horizontally, they use narrower aperture lenses. This technology, like the one on the Galaxy S9, allows the phone’s camera to switch between multiple aperture settings based on the lighting conditions.
While this camera system appears to be extremely versatile and helpful, the large number of moving components might lead to mechanical failure in the future, especially if it is dropped or subjected to shocks. Furthermore, it is unknown whether Samsung will use this camera technology in any of its upcoming devices.