For the past few years, Samsung‘s Ultra flagships have featured an industry-leading 10x optical zoom camera (periscope telephoto). However, the Galaxy S24 Ultra won’t have it. The Korean firm is equipping the 2024 model with a 5x periscope telephoto camera instead of 10x. This change in camera hardware is visible in the newly leaked renders of the phone.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s periscope telephoto camera is visibly different
A few days back, the entire Galaxy S24 series leaked in high-quality renders, complete with key specs. Noted X tipster Ice Universe compared the rear camera array of the Galaxy S24 Ultra with the Galaxy S23 Ultra and pointed out a key difference in the periscope telephoto camera. As you can see in the image below, the 2024 model features a round lens in front of the rectangular reflector.
While this doesn’t tell us much, it is obvious that Samsung has changed something. It may not be a simple lens or sensor swapping. If rumors are true, the new phone’s 5x zoom camera is a 50MP sensor, while the 10x zoom camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra is a 10MP sensor. However, this may not have anything to do with the resolution either. It may be a change meant to produce better zoom shots.
The same source noted that the Vivo V100 Pro has a similar telephoto camera design. The new Vivo phone has a 50MP lens with 4.3x optical zoom. It is regarded as one of the best camera phones of the current generation, even producing better zoom photos than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Time will tell whether the Galaxy S24 Ultra can surpass the Vivo V100 Pro in zoom quality.
Samsung is ditching curved displays too
A 5x zoom camera may seem like a downgrade from 10x, but we may still get similar or even better image quality thanks to improved software processing, a new sensor, and a design change. Rumors say the Galaxy S24 Ultra will keep 100x hybrid zoom too. So users may not rue the lack of 10x optical zoom. However, this isn’t the only major hardware change the new Samsung flagship will bring. It also switches from a curved display to a flat display.
The Korean firm has used curved panels on its Ultra flagships for the past several years, so this is another big change. Ice Universe visualized this redesign by comparing the Galaxy S24 Ultra with the Galaxy S22 Ultra. With symmetrical bezels, the 2024 model looks more premium, though those who prefer curved displays may not like it. We shall find out soon. The Galaxy S24 series may arrive on January 17, 2024.
2023-12-04 15:07:18