Samsung patent hints at Galaxy Z Flip device with flipping camera
TL; DR
- A new Samsung patent has revealed a Galaxy Z flip-style device with a rotating camera.
- This would allow users to take photos from multiple angles.
- For the foldable screen, you would probably need a dedicated selfie camera.
Under-display selfie cameras have become something of a holy grail for manufacturers, with ZTE still being one of the few big brands to offer phones with this feature. We expect the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 to offer this technology, however, but it looks like Samsung is also considering a different out-of-the-box approach to cameras.
Let’s go digital discovered a Samsung patent application filed with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) showing a Galaxy Z Flip series phone with a folding camera mechanism. Check out the pictures below.
The drawings show a foldable camera system that, in conjunction with the secondary screen, allows you to take both standard photos and selfies (similar to the existing Z flip phones). But it also seems that Samsung is taking inspiration from the Asus Zenfone 8 Flip. More precisely, it looks like the camera system can stop at multiple points.
A camera system with the ability to stop at multiple points means you can shoot from multiple angles, which in theory allows for a more versatile camera experience. We also saw that Asus used its motorized pan to take panoramic shots without having to move the phone, so this is another option on paper.
Related: The best foldable phones on the market right now
However, it doesn’t look like this camera setup will allow you to take selfies with the main folding screen. It stands to reason, therefore, that any future Galaxy Z Flip based on this design would have a traditional or in-display selfie camera instead. Another potential downside is the enormous bump created by this hinge and camera system, which suggests that the unfolded phone isn’t lying flat on its back.
In any case, this is only a patent application for the moment and not definitive evidence of a commercial product in the future. However, are you interested in this design? Let us know in the comments!
