Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 2 Could Have Triple-Camera Setup, Patent Shows

Samsung surprised the world when it released the Galaxy Z Flip, a foldable smartphone that folds like a clamshell device. This handset was significantly cheaper than the first Galaxy Fold, and was also cheaper yet better-specced compared to the midrange Motorola Razr.

The Galaxy Z Flip was praised for being “like a regular smartphone” when in use. The device looked like a Galaxy S10 series handset, and featured a robust hinge and a satisfyingly rigid body when unfolded, Android Police noted.

The Verge noted that the device had a very strong hinge that allowed it to be propped up at any allowable angle. It can be opened halfway and placed on a flat surface like a laptop. And though opening it might require the use of two hands, the hinge opens smoothly and does not make creaking sounds.

Now, a new design patent spotted by Let's Go Digital shows that Samsung is considering upgrading the device's rear camera. The Korean tech giant filed two design patents with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO), both showing just how the new device could look like when it is released. The design patent focuses on one major part of the device: the back of the upper half.

Whereas the first Galaxy Z Flip made use of a dual-camera setup at the back of the phone (comprised of 12MP Ultra Wide and 12MP Wide-angle cameras), the patent shows that the upcoming second-gen Galaxy Z Flip will feature a triple-camera setup. The patent doesn't indicate what kind of cameras the device will use.

Interestingly, the two design patents show two possible camera placements. One of them shows the camera module as being placed in a horizontal position near the top edge. The other one shows the camera module in a vertical position near the left edge of the back of the phone. The small display that sits beside the module will vary in size depending on the position of the camera module.

That said, these are but design patents at the moment. Fans should stay tuned for more updates as they come.