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Insider leaks more details about the Galaxy S11’s signature feature

Published Dec 16th, 2019 6:50AM EST
Galaxy S11 Plus Specs
Image: Zach Epstein, BGR

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When the Galaxy S10 launched back in February, Samsung confirmed the three signature feature that appeared in several leaks in the months preceding the press conference. The Galaxy S10 devices feature Infinity-O displays with selfie cameras punching through the screen, in-display fingerprint sensors of the ultrasonic variety, and multi-lens camera systems on the back containing up to four distinct cameras. The Galaxy S11 will have the same general look as the S10, several leaks have said, although the hole-punch will resemble the Note 10 version. The most significant upgrade you’ll be getting next year concerns the camera experience, which is apparently going to be the Galaxy S11 only essential signature feature. And the closer we get to the rumored mid-February launch event, the more camera details we have for you.

The same insider who criticized some of the recent Galaxy S11 renders is back with more insight about the Galaxy S11’s camera design and functionality.

The leaker said on Twitter in separate posts that the Galaxy S11’s rear-facing camera system will look much cleaner than what renders had suggested:

He went ahead and detailed the camera arrangement on the back, saying that the Galaxy S11+ will feature three cameras on the left side of the rectangular camera module, including an ultra-wide-angle lens, primary camera, and periscope zoom lens.

Flanking these three sensors, there should be a flash and Time-of-Flight (ToF) depth camera, the leaker said.

In a separate tweet, Ice showed us an image of the purported periscope camera that Samsung will use for the Galaxy S11 series, which is the camera that will deliver enhanced optical zoom:

Finally, the insider also posted a somewhat cryptic tweet that reveals some of the specs of the Galaxy S11+ camera:

What that means is the primary camera of the Galaxy S11+ will have 108-megapixel, a detail we’ve heard before. But this is the first time we hear about how these pixels will be used. Samsung will apparently merge nine pixels into a single 2.4μm pixel, resulting in a top resolution of 12-megapixel. We’ve seen this type of technology from other smartphone makers, and the purpose of it is to improve low-light photography. Quad Pixel, for example, is a marketing term coined to describe technology that combines four pixels into a single bigger one. Other Galaxy S11 versions will likely feature the same 108-megapixel primary camera.

According to a recent leak, Samsung should unveil the Galaxy S11 during a media event on February 18th.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.