Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3's under-display camera could pack a tiny sensor

A camera is more than the sum of its megapixels, but if you’re judging the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3‘s under-display camera purely on this metric, you might be disappointed. According to a new leak by tipster Evan Blass, Samsung’s first under-display camera phone will feature a 4MP sensor.

Blass calls this the “main selfie” camera, which will likely be placed beneath the display. Arguably, Samsung’s reason for using a smaller sensor here is possibly twofold. The company doesn’t want a large, unsightly blotch on the foldable screen, and a smaller sensor should lessen this. Samsung might also be focusing on video call quality, not stills quality, with this particular shooter. 4MP should be just fine for 1440p video.

Sensor size isn’t integral to under-display camera performance, either. The ZTE Axon 20 featured a 32MP under-display camera, but the images produced were cloudy and soft. The phone’s display also featured a mottled square above the camera itself, distracting even when the camera was not in use. If Samsung can address these issues, the sensor size might not matter much at all.

Despite the lack of pixels, Samsung could also make the individual pixel sizes larger. This would also improve light sensitivity and image quality, especially in lower light scenarios like offices.

Notably, information from tipster Ice Universe suggests the camera isn’t “bad” at all. But we’ll have to use the phone before passing judgment. Nevertheless, if users want higher quality selfie stills, they can seemingly still employ the 10MP “cover selfie” camera if need be.

Other camera hardware will include a trio of 12MP sensors — the same layout as the Galaxy Z Fold 2. We can therefore expect ultra-wide and telephoto cameras to join the main camera.

Blass also mentions that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will feature a 7.6-inch internal screen with a 6.2-inch cover screen. Two S Pen options will be on offer, namely the S Pen Pro and Fold Edition models.

What about the Galaxy Z Flip 3?

Well, Samsung’s flipper won’t get an under-display camera. According to Blass, the firm is sticking with a 10MP cut-out shooter mounted in its 6.7-inch display, which seems pretty prominent in renders shared by WinFuture (above).

The Z Flip 3 will also gain a 1.9-inch cover screen with a pair of 12MP cameras alongside it. Again, those wanting to shoot better selfies can likely shoot with the main cameras using the cover display as a digital mirror.

Blass also notes that both phones will feature IPX8 ratings, as mentioned in previous leaks. This should mean both devices can handle drops in water.

None of these details, bar the S Pen support, have been confirmed by Samsung just yet. Expect the company to speak about both phones’ camera smarts and more at its August 11 launch event.