Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Samsung Galaxy S11’s codename hints it may pack a periscope zoom lens camera

Mark Jansen
By

The Galaxy S11 is still a few months away, and the latest rumors are hinting Samsung’s next major flagship will pack some major camera improvements — but we didn’t expect anything like this. If a leaked codename is an indicator of planned improvements, the Galaxy S11 may well pack a periscope 5x zoom lens as well as a 108-megapixel main lens.

According to a report from GalaxyClub, the Galaxy S11 is being developed with the codename “Hubble” — a fairly obvious reference to the Hubble Space Telescope — and could point to the Samsung S11 coming with a telephoto lens with a 5x optical zoom. This level of zoom would be achievable with a periscope-style lens, where the long apparatus required lays parallel to the lines of the phone, using a mirror to bend light by 90 degrees. This could be a considerable upgrade over the Galaxy S10‘s existing 2x telephoto zoom.

NASA

This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen this technology, though it would be a first for Samsung. We’ve previously seen periscope zoom lenses on the Huawei P30 Pro, and on the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom, which came with a 10x optical zoom. Samsung has apparently been working on this technology in its own camera lenses for some time now, with Sammobile reporting it was ready for deployment six months ago.

Recommended Videos

But you may want to avoid betting the farm on a super-zoom lens just yet. After all, the “Hubble” codename may not refer to an upgraded zoom lens at all, and could instead be a reference to the expected 108-megapixel main lens. Alternatively, it could also hint at an upgraded version of HDR image layering, as the Hubble Space Telescope is also well known for its composite images. Or perhaps the Galaxy S11 is built to withstand the rigors of a life in orbit. It would certainly fit with Samsung’s ill-fated Space Selfie stunt.

One thing is absolutely for certain — with the Samsung Galaxy S11 unlikely to be released until early 2020, we’ve got plenty of time for more leaks to arrive, and if a periscope telephoto zoom lens is truly on the way, then we’re sure to hear about it again soon. We’ll keep you updated if we hear any more.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mark Jansen
Mark Jansen
Contributor
Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient &…
New Galaxy S24 Ultra rumor teases a major camera upgrade
The back of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, showing the camera lenses.

It's no secret that the Galaxy S23 Ultra's cameras are impressive, but it seems like the S24 Ultra may be one-upping its predecessor. Aside from the addition of its 200MP sensor, there wasn't much of a difference between the S22 Ultra's camera array and the one found on the S23 Ultra. However, a new leak suggests that the S24 Ultra will be taking a major step to elevate camera performance.

In a post to Twitter, leaker @Tech_Reve claims that the Galaxy S24 Ultra will be ditching the S23 Ultra's 3x and 10x telephoto lenses in favor of a single 3x to 10x variable folded telephoto lens. While the change may seem subtle, the difference in what the S24 Ultra can accomplish with its camera array could be vast as a result.

Read more
This is the most unusual Galaxy S23 Ultra camera test I’ve ever done
The Galaxy A54 and Galaxy S23 Ultra's camera modules.

Comparing phone cameras is a fine balancing act, where everything from the price of the device to the functionality is considered before taking the first photos. So, under normal circumstances, the Samsung Galaxy A54 would never face the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. After all, they’re worlds apart in both of those areas. So why are you about to see a comparison between the two?

It’s simple. Because they are so different, just how much better or worse is one compared to the other? Or are they closer together than Samsung would like you to think? Let's see if we can save you money or convince you to spend more with one of the most unusual camera comparisons we've done yet.
Just how different are the cameras?
Samsung Galaxy A54 (right) and Galaxy S23 Ultra Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Read more
I’m no camera expert, but this S23 Ultra app makes me look like one
Close-up shot of the cameras on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

When I hear someone has used Photoshop or Lightroom to edit a RAW photo, I imagine it has taken a considerable amount of time, and required a fair degree of expertise and understanding of photography to do it. The Galaxy S23 Ultra can take photos in RAW format, and it recommends the Lightroom for Samsung app to edit them. As a keen photographer and someone who likes to edit photos in other apps, I wanted to give RAW photos and Lightroom editing a try.

The question is, do you have to be an expert to use the Expert RAW app and Lightroom’s editing tools? I was about to find out.
You’ll have to pay to get the most from it

Read more