Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Leak Indicates Powerful Camera

So much information about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 4 has already leaked that it's hard to believe the device could have any more features, but with less than two weeks until its unveiling, there is plenty of time for more details about the Samsung Electronics Co. (KRX: 005930) smartphone to surface.

SamMobile has uncovered details about the camera for the Galaxy Note 4. Prior rumors have suggested that the Galaxy Note 4 would have a 12-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization in order to improve the quality of photos on the device; however, the Galaxy Note 4 will likely include a 16-megapixel camera without OIS. Notably, the Samsung Galaxy S5, which launched in April, features a 16-megapixel camera. New Galaxy Note models often receive similar cameras to the Galaxy S models that release months earlier.

The camera application on the Galaxy Note 4 will likely be loaded with new features. In particular, Samsung may introduce Side Touch, which would allow users to tap a sensor on the side of the Galaxy Note 4 that would serve at a shutter button. The feature was rumored for the Galaxy S5 and while it was not officially included, the Side Touch code was reportedly hidden within Galaxy S5 firmware. This indicates that Samsung may have plans to implement the feature into future Galaxy models, like the Galaxy Note 4.

The Galaxy Note 4 camera app is expected to have a gesture-based shortcut; users would be able to access the app while the handset is off by tapping the screen with two fingers and swiping them apart, SamMobile detailed. Gesture-based functions are becoming increasingly popular on smartphones. The Galaxy S5 includes a feature called Air Wake up, which allows users to wave their hand over the screen take it off standby. The HTC One (M8) has a feature called Motion Launch, which allows users to double tap the screen to wake it up.

Other software features of the Galaxy Note 4 camera app may include Selfie mode, Wide Selfie mode, Selfie Alarm and Create A GIF File. Selfie mode triggers the camera to take a photo when the user smiles or winks. Wide Selfie mode allows for wide-angle selfie shots. Selfie Alarm detects when a selfie shot is in focus before a photo is taken. Create A GIF File allows users to make animated GIFs of their photos. The Galaxy Note 4 should have all of the standard camera modes, including features like HDR Live, Selective Focus, Fast Auto-focus, which were introduced on the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Samsung is also expected to increase that amount of megapixels on the Galaxy Note 4 front camera. The device will reportedly include a 3.7-megapixel lens, which would be able to capture images and videos in WQHD (2560×1440) resolution. An improved front camera makes sense given the likely focus on selfies within the Galaxy Note 4 software. Many other manufacturers have been implementing 5-megapixel front camera onto their devices in order to accommodate the growing selfie phenomenon. The Xperia C3 by Sony Corp. (NYSE:SNE) is the company’s self proclaimed “world’s best selfie smartphone,” while rumors indicate that Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) plans to release the Nokia Lumia 730 as its own selfie phone.

In addition to a 16-megapixel main camera, the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will likely include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 or Samsung Exynos 5433 chipset, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The device may be water and dust resistant, and may also include a fingerprint scanner like the Samsung Galaxy S5. Other features rumored for the Galaxy Note 4 include an iris scanner, an ultraviolet (UV) sensor and a virtual reality (VR) headset called Samsung Gear VR, which would pair with the Galaxy Note 4.

Reports have indicated that the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 could release on either Sept. 15 or Sept. 25. Samsung recently announced its Unpacked event for Sept. 3, where the Galaxy Note 4 is expected to be unveiled.