A new Samsung patent has surfaced, and it’s showing us something truly great. Based on this, Samsung is working on bringing external camera lenses to its smartphones, making things modular. Having replaceable lenses could be a great move.
Samsung could make cameras on its future smartphones modular, patent suggests
The patent, which was published over at WIPO recently, does reveal quite a few information. This is a design patent, and it consists of four parts, basically.
The first part is the device housing, which is essentially an outer body that holds the component. The second is the lens assembly, which is the replaceable unit. The third is the image sensor, and the fourth is a motor aka actuator, which will enable the movement of the lens assembly/image sensor.
This is basically fancy talk for a replaceable camera lens, a detachable one, like the one that Vivo offers for its brand new Vivo X200 Ultra flagship. A rotating ring could be included in the lens itself, we’re not sure. It could be included for zooming purposes.
Once attached, a phone will likely be able to read the magnet within the lens to identify what type of lens is attached. Alternatively, Samsung could use a tag, like an RFID tag, to accomplish the same result. Those are just some options.
A case will likely be needed
It would be great if something like this were possible without a case, but that’s not as likely, especially considering these lenses should be able to work with more devices. If Samsung opts to release them for one specific device, or a series of them that launch at the same time, then Samsung could adopt the device of the device itself to accommodate them. Going the accessory route is more of a possibility, like Vivo did.
Do note that this is just a patent at this point, though. In other words, it’s possible it will never become a reality. The fun part is… it could!
