Just when we’d started getting used to two-lens cameras on smartphones, device makers have decided to up the ante. Samsung announced the Galaxy A9 (2018) on Thursday, featuring a four-lens system as its main camera set up.
The latest Galaxy A9 model features a row of lenses down the left side of its back panel. These include a 24-megapixel auto-focus lens with f/1.7 aperture, a 10-megapixel telephoto 2X optical zoom lens with f/2.4 aperture, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide 120-degree lens with f/2.4 aperture and a 5-megapixel depth lens with f/2.2 aperture.
Samsung Galaxy A9 camera specs
Rounding out the imaging features on this smartphone is a 24-megapixel front-facing camera. That totals five lenses on the Galaxy A9 (2018), rivaling the recently announced LG V40 ThinQ, which features a triple-lens setup for its main camera and a dual-lens set up for its front-facing camera.
Smartphone manufacturers have taken advantage of the fact that photography and photo sharing is an integral part of modern life. While professional photographers may be willing to lug around camera bags full of lenses to aid them in getting the perfect shot, the average consumer is not. Instead, companies are now adding the varied lenses directly to the design of their smartphones. Now, even those who don’t mind buying clip-on lens attachments for their smartphones won’t have to shell out the cash.
Other hardware on the Galaxy A9 (2018) include a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chip, 6GB, and 8GB RAM options and 128GB of internal storage with microSD expansion up to 500GB, and a 3,800mAh battery. The device will run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. Samsung has also adopted the gradient color design made popular by Huawei. Options include Caviar Black, Lemonade Blue, and Bubblegum Pink.
Galaxy A9 in Lemonade Blue
The Galaxy A9 (2018) is expected to release in November with Europe and the U.K. among its primary markets. The device will sell starting at 599 euros/549 pounds.
There is a good chance the device won’t be available in the U.S., but Samsung often uses its internationally branded devices as testbeds for Galaxy S and Galaxy Note flagships that do make it to the American market.
Early rumors suggest Samsung’s first 2019 flagship, possibly called the Galaxy S10, could feature as many as three-lenses for its main camera setup. The manufacturer announced the Galaxy A7 (2018) in September, featuring a triple-lens setup with a 24-megapixel standard lens, a 5-megapixel depth lens, and an 8-megapixel wide angle lens.
However, a quad-lens flagship may not hit the market for several more generations. So far, consumers have seen dual-camera setups only on the Galaxy Note 8, the Galaxy S9+ and the Galaxy Note 9.
