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Samsung will rollout lossless 2x zoom mode with 50-megapixel resolution camera
Your Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will soon be grabbing a new 2x zoom mode using a 50-megapixel resolution, making the camera more powerful. Recently, a cryptic reply by a community manager hinted that the Double Portraits coming to certain Galaxy models, meanwhile, the new input has more details.
Reliable Samsung source discovered a thread in the Korean community, in which the camera in charge confirmed that the 2x zoom mode is coming to the camera and supports 50-megapixel cropping. As soon as the user reaches a 3x zoom level, the S23 Ultra replaces the primary lens with the telephoto.
Samsung develops dedicated 2x zoom mode
A dedicated telephoto offers stunningly detailed photos in close up, where the 10x level gets boosted further using the 2nd telephoto lens. Similarly, a consumer requested Samsung to bring a dedicated 2x zoom level, which uses 50-megapixel resolution for better details in images.
According to the info, Samsung has completed the development of this new 2x zoom mode with a 50-megapixel cropping solution. With the next firmware update, it will be distributed to the Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone, thanks to the 200-megapixel camera, which works at 12.5MP, 50MP and 200MP.
The tipster pointed out that the 2x zoom function will be extended to video mode as well. So we are expecting that the company may deliver the new camera cropping toggle to regular Photo, Portrait, and Video functions with the next firmware.
Double Portraits
Earlier, the camera in charge revealed that the next software includes the Double Portraits function for the Portrait mode. Per the info, this new function will deliver Portrait shots with accurately blurred backgrounds when the viewfinder has more than a single subject.
Last month, we’ve seen that the Korean tech giant treated older flagships like the latest S23 series when it comes to feature distribution. The S23’s Image Clipper is available for many models, with the similar we believe to happen with the next S23 Ultra software.
Huawei outpaced Samsung in the global foldable smartphone market in Q1 2024. TechInsights reveals that Huawei scored a whopping 257% YoY growth in the worldwide smartphone market, letting it claim the leadership crown from Samsung.
According to the report, Samsung lost its leadership to Huawei in the foldable market in Q1 2024. The Chinese phone maker managed to become the leader in the first quarter, with Chinese sales bringing a major push to claim this milestone.
The study notes that the Chinese tech giant secured its lead in the overall foldable phone market by dominating the Fold type segment. Despite a 25% decrease in market share YoY, Samsung maintained its leadership in the Flip-style foldable phone.
Surprisingly, Motorola scored an annual growth of 1260% with its clamshell foldable Razr. While notable growth was recorded by Honor (+480%), Vivo (+331%), and Xiaomi (+41%), Samsung (-25%) and Oppo (-75%) experienced a decline in market share.
The Chinese foldable phone market exhibited a growth of 94% year-on-year. As for the North American region, it grew by 143% YoY, and Motorola surpassed Samsung to take the top spot, with Samsung in second place and OnePlus in third.
At WWDC 2024, Apple will likely unveil AI-generated emoji and OpenAI collab. Apple is unlikely to debut significant AI or Generative AI features that Google and Samsung. Rather, the company could reveal basic AI features like transcribing voice memos or auto-generated emojis.
According to MarkGurman, the Apple WWDC 2024 event may include basic AI features and OpenAI collaboration. Apple’s rumored “smart recap” feature could summarize missed texts, notifications, and other things like “web pages, news articles, documents, notes and other forms of media.”
The Voice Memo app could also get a big boost in AI-generated transcripts. Apple could also announce AI-powered improvements to on-device Spotlight search, internet searches with Safari, as well as writing suggestions for emails and texts.
Rumors also indicate AI-powered features that will let users retouch photos and generate emoji based on what you’re texting. Siri voice assistant may also get a better, more natural-sounding voice, powered by Apple’s own large language models.
Earlier, Apple was rumored to be in talks with Google to integrate Gemini AI. Apple is reportedly allowing OpenAI to integrate its ChatGPT chatbot with its operating system. However, Gurman reports that the company is still working with Google to reach an agreement on Gemini AI.
The Pixel 10 series could be equipped with a Tensor G5 chip made by TSMC as Google is reportedly ditching Samsung Foundry for its fifth-generation Tensor chipset, which would power the Pixel 10 series.
Evidence shared by AndroidAuthority indicates TSMC would manufacture Tensor G5 for Google. As Google’s Pixel business is gradually growing, parting ways with Samsung would give a major boost in terms of performance.
Pixel’s Tensor chipsets were always criticized for their performance and efficiency concerns. While Samsung Foundry has impressed with its latest Exynos chip in Galaxy S24, Google seems to have already jumped to TSMC.
Publicly available trade databases mention Google (as Shipper) and Tessolve Semiconductor (as Consignee). The description reveals the Google part number, chip’s code name “laguna (LGA),” goods’ type, packing type, manufacturer, and the number of tests the mentioned chipset has passed.
The evidence also reveals that the Pixel 10 might use up to 16GB of RAM, a huge 4GB bump to the current flagship’s RAM. This huge RAM boost is also expected to be brought to the upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra, which Samsung would introduce in early next year.
Google introduced its in-house Tensor chipset in 2021 with Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Since then, the company has partnered with Samsung for semiconductor production. This year’s Pixel 9 series will also use a Samsung-made Tensor G4 processor.