LG's futuristic phone will have whopping 16 cameras
What's the story
Smartphone makers are always looking to improve the imaging capabilities of their devices. They first tried software tweaks for this, but are now launching phones with two, three, and even four cameras. LG is also doing the same, but as it seems, the company wants to take the game to a new level by adding as many as 16 cameras. Yep, sixteen! Here's more.
Patent details
New patents hints at hexadecimal camera setup
LG's ambitions for a hexadecimal camera setup were revealed from a USPTO patent unearthed by LetsGoDigital. Granted on November 20, the patent details the 16 camera setup and how it could be employed to take a range of shots. It even had a series of renders demonstrating different ways of arranging these cameras on the back of a phone.
Lens use
16 lenses with different characteristics
As the patent explained, each of the 16 camera lenses will have different characteristics and focal lengths. While this looks like LG is overdoing it, the company says these cameras could prove handy in several ways. For instance, the user could take shots from a selected lens or even use all 16 lenses at the same time and then pick the best one.
Editing prospects
And, it would enable enhanced editing prospects
With 16 lenses, you'd be able to capture a subject from different perspectives. You could then stitch images from different lenses to form a wide-angle shot like a panorama or replace a part of an image from one lens with a part taken by another lens. For instance, you could change the angle of a subject's head using the image taken by another lens.
Information
Even depth perception is likely to improve
The camera capabilities on a phone like that could even improve depth perception capabilities, helping the user capture much better portrait shots with a shallow depth of field.
Selfie
And, the 16 cameras would also help with selfies
Though the 16 camera setup detailed in the patent will rest on the back of the phone, LG could also let you use it for selfies. This, as per LetsGoDigital, would happen with a small mirror placed with the 16 cameras. It won't be as seamless as taking a photograph with a front-facing shooter, but the quality would definitely be amazing.
Release
Remember: This is just a patent at this stage
Having said that, it is important to reiterate that this is just a USPTO-approved patent at this stage. It hints that LG would like to develop a phone with 16 cameras, but does not guarantee that the phone is in the works or is coming anytime soon. The idea sure sounds interesting, but just like many other patents, the company may sideline this one.