Samsung Electro-Mechanics Creates Optical 10x Zoom Folded Camera Module

Samsung’s electronic component manufacturing subsidiary Samsung Electro-Mechanics announced it has developed an optical 10x zoom folded camera module for smartphones. In addition to developing the folded optical 10x zoom camera, the company plans to mass-produce the product and supply it to smartphone manufacturers worldwide. Samsung Electro-Mechanics is the first South Korean company to utilize an optical 10x zoom folded camera in smartphone manufacturing.

“Recently, camera modules are being used as key distinguishing aspects for smartphone cameras, and the need for ultra-small, high magnification optical zoom is increasing in the market,” said Shim Ik-Chan, Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ Managing Director and Module Development Team Leader. “Samsung Electro-Mechanics supplies distinguished products to clients in need through unique technology allowing us to design and manufacture core products directly.”

Low-Power Camera Module for High-Resolution

In an optical zoom function, the camera can considerably zoom in on faraway subjects without sacrificing high-quality resolutions. In 2019, Samsung Electro-Mechanics developed a camera component that determines focus points using a periscope, achieving a 5x optical zoom. However, this technology lengthens the camera’s module when increasing the optical magnification rate, leading to wasteful space utilization and protrusion.

To resolve the space usage issue, developers created a dual-folded camera by doubling light refraction to expand focus distance. Due to the dual-folded camera technology, the camera’s module length only expands by 25%. Additionally, Samsung Electro-Mechanics employed a lens that shortens the module’s height and doesn’t alter the standard light penetration rate. A special lens coating and guide actuator stabilize images, enabling the camera to capture high-quality photos even at great distances.

Multiple industries can apply Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ newly developed camera module in their operations, including smartphone and automobile producers. With the optical 10x zoom camera, the company secures essential core camera module technologies such as high-performance actuator operation, molding processes, and effective lens design.

Moreover, the company’s optical 10x zoom folded camera module is one of Galaxy S21 Ultra’s major features. According to the Samsung subsidiary, it targets to enhance mobile-related technologies further and widen its business relations with international companies. Previously, Samsung Electro-Mechanics has collaborated with Chinese electronics manufacturers, including Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi.