Samsung's Hexa-Prism Periscope Zoom Patent Challenges Apple's Quad-Mirror Design

Samsung's Hexa-Prism Periscope Zoom Patent Challenges Apple's Quad-Mirror DesignTech giant Samsung Electronics has unveiled a significant technological advancement: a patent for a hexa-prism periscope camera zoom system, as revealed in a recent World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) publication. This application directly challenges Apple's quad-mirror design featured in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, signaling a new competitive phase in mobile device optical zoom technology

Samsung's Hexa-Prism Periscope Zoom Patent Challenges Apple's Quad-Mirror Design

Tech giant Samsung Electronics has unveiled a significant technological advancement: a patent for a hexa-prism periscope camera zoom system, as revealed in a recent World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) publication. This application directly challenges Apple's quad-mirror design featured in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, signaling a new competitive phase in mobile device optical zoom technology.

91Mobile first reported on this patent on September 3rd. According to the patent document, Samsung's hexa-prism system cleverly integrates three concave and three convex lenses, arranged in an alternating sequence, causing light to travel in a zig-zag path within the camera module. This isn't merely a technical show-off; it aims to achieve two key objectives: significantly enhanced optical zoom capabilities and a reduced camera module size.

Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max, with its pioneering quad-mirror technology, significantly improved telephoto capabilities, garnering widespread praise. However, Samsung's hexa-prism patent elevates the competition. By increasing the number of prisms, Samsung effectively extends the light path, enabling more powerful optical zoom. The patent specifies an optical image stabilization (OIS) range of 180mm to 7000mm, suggesting future Samsung phones incorporating this technology will boast zoom capabilities far exceeding most current devices.

The breakthrough extends beyond enhanced zoom. In the pursuit of ultra-portability, camera module size is a major challenge for smartphone manufacturers. Complex periscope systems often mean larger size and higher manufacturing costs. Samsung's hexa-prism design aims to overcome this bottleneck. Through clever prism arrangement and light path design, the patent promises high resolution and powerful zoom while significantly reducing camera module thickness and volume, allowing for more powerful camera systems in slimmer phones.

The patent application details the working principle and design goals of Samsung's hexa-prism system. The alternating arrangement of six prisms acts like a precision optical puzzle, precisely controlling light refraction and reflection to focus light onto the image sensor. This complex zig-zag light path not only provides a longer optical path but also offers greater operational space for the image stabilization system, further enhancing image quality and clarity.

This patent heralds a leap forward in mobile photography. Enhanced zoom capabilities offer richer shooting experiences, making long-range landscape shots and detailed close-ups easier. The smaller camera module design also opens up more design possibilities for smartphone manufacturers, fostering innovation in future phone designs and functionalities.

Samsung's hexa-prism patent isn't purely theoretical. The detailed technical specifications suggest extensive research and development, demonstrating the potential for practical application. This indicates a strong likelihood of future smartphones incorporating this technology, delivering a novel mobile photography experience.

This move directly challenges Apple's leading position in mobile imaging technology. Apple's quad-mirror technology is a key selling point for its high-end models, but Samsung's hexa-prism technology aims to surpass it, setting a new industry benchmark. This technological competition will accelerate the advancement of mobile imaging technology, ultimately benefiting consumers.

While the timeframe for incorporating this technology into Samsung flagship phones remains unclear, the next few years will likely see a surge in smartphones utilizing advanced optical zoom technologies. This technological race will not only improve the overall quality of mobile imaging but will also provide consumers with richer and more exciting mobile photography experiences. The successful application of this patent technology will profoundly impact the design of future smartphone imaging systems, potentially triggering a revolutionary wave in mobile imaging technology. Samsung's innovation will undoubtedly push the entire mobile industry towards higher-resolution, more convenient, and more powerful imaging systems, providing users with unprecedented mobile photography experiences. While the successful application of this technology in mass-produced phones remains to be seen, Samsung's hexa-prism periscope camera patent has undeniably charted a new course for the development of mobile imaging technology.