Samsung mass-producing continuous zoom camera sensors, but not for Galaxy phones
Perhaps you've been waiting for big improvements to the cameras of Galaxy flagship phones for years. However, recent leaks suggest the Galaxy S26 series won't bring any notable changes in this area. And to add insult to injury, Samsung has begun mass-producing an impressive new continuous zoom camera technology that, sadly, we won't be seeing on Galaxy phones anytime soon.
Samsung's continuous zoom camera won't be coming to Galaxy phones anytime soon
According to Digital Chat Station, you can expect to see Samsung's continuous zoom camera tech in the next generation of top-tier Chinese smartphones. It will likely be featured in the camera configurations of future "Ultra" mobile devices, except—ironically—Samsung's own Ultras.
This new camera is a significant step up from what we're used to. Most current phone cameras, even on top-tier devices, use a fixed optical zoom. This means you get a clear shot at specific magnifications, like 3x or 5x, but any zoom level in between is handled by digital crops, which can result in blurry, lower-quality photos.
The continuous zoom lens is different. It functions like a professional camera, moving internal components to maintain crystal-clear optical quality across a wide range of magnifications.
Samsung's strategy regarding new tech
This isn't the first time Samsung has offered its latest technologies to rival brands instead of implementing them first in its own devices. The practice isn't even limited to camera sensors. In the recent past, we've seen the company providing new display technologies to companies like Apple and Google before its own Galaxy devices, for example.
Samsung's strategy would have two main goals. First, as a giant conglomerate with multiple divisions, Samsung would reap substantial profits by selling its most advanced technologies to third-party brands. Second, the South Korean giant can use these third-party brands as a "testing ground" to determine whether its new technologies are mature enough that mass implementation wouldn't be counterproductive due to future emerging issues.
Be that as it may, let's hope to see Samsung's continuous zoom camera technology on Galaxy phones sooner rather than later.
