LG teases a smaller smartphone camera module with true optical telephoto zoom

He says it would reduce the size of a smartphone camera bump.

LG may not make smartphones anymore, but it still builds components for them. The company's LG Innotek arm has just unveiled a true periscope-style optical zoom camera module with a 4x to 9x telephoto range. This would allow smartphone cameras to maintain full image quality throughout the zoom range, while potentially reducing the size and number of modules required.

Samsung has developed a similar camera module, also known as a "folded" lens, with four times zoom first used in the Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphone. LG Innotek provided a previous version of its zoom module to Sony for the Xperia 1 IV smartphone.

Most smartphone cameras use hybrid zoom setups that combine digital zoom and multiple camera modules. Some zoom ranges (usually 2x, 3x, 10x, etc.) use individual cameras, with digital zoom to fill in between (2.5x, 4.5x, etc.). As a result, the resolution of the sensor and therefore the details can be significantly reduced.

LG's "optical zoom camera" does, however, contain a zoom actuator with moving components, similar to what you've seen on a zoom in a mirrorless or DSLR camera. It works quickly and precisely down to the micrometer, LG says, while saving battery life. It also has a built-in optical image stabilizer to reduce blur, which can be a problem for telephoto lenses that magnify hand movements. (iFixit shows exactly how these add-ons work here.)

With the module installed, a sensor would retain full resolution throughout the 4-9x zoom range, providing more detail in telephoto shots. LG has also reduced the thickness of the module to reduce the size of the camera bump.

The company has partnered with Qualcomm to integrate the technology into the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform. "This will improve custom picture tuning for optics, which includes autofocus, auto exposure, auto white balance, lens shading correction and more. Users will be able to focus quickly. And photos and videos will have superb image quality." LG wrote.

The new module will appear in smartphones announced at CES 2023 from January 3. LG hasn't revealed any makes or models, but a number of smartphones will soon be available with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that could potentially use it. These include the OnePlus 11 series, Xiaomi 13, Motorola X40 and Oppo Find X. Apple is also a big customer of LG Innotek and may use the zoom module in next year's iPhone 15 series, according to previous reports. .

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices correct at time of publication.