Why do smartphones have multiple cameras ? 📸

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With the new Samsung Galaxy S24s now official, one question is once again on everyone’s lips: why are there multiple cameras on a smartphone? 🤔 We answer you in this week’s #AskGriots.

Wide-angle sensor as default

Most of the time, you’ll find a combination of the following photo modules: wide-angle, ultra-wide-angle and telephoto. They offer different photographic perspectives.

The wide-angle module is the one used by default on your smartphone. When there is only one sensor on a smartphone, this is the one used. It offers a wider perspective than the human eye, enabling you to capture more of the scene in a single image.

Telephoto & ultra-wide angle lenses

The telephoto module was one of the first « second » sensors to appear on smartphones. In particular, it can be used to take portrait photos. It can also be used to zoom in on distant subjects.

The ultra-wide-angle module, as its name suggests, is wider than the wide-angle sensor. It’s useful for landscape shots, spacious interiors and any situation where you need to include as much of the environment as possible in the picture.