Samsung Electro-Mechanics is developing a camera system with continuous optical zoom for smartphones, but surprisingly, not for its own devices. Instead, the South Korean tech giant is working on this technology at the request of Xiaomi and other rivals, according to a new report from The Elec.
The development comes as Samsung looks to expand its dominance in camera components while also facing pressure from competitors eager to adopt cutting-edge imaging features.
Samsung’s History With Optical Zoom
Samsung was one of the first smartphone makers to introduce optical zoom technology. Over the years, it pushed boundaries further, with devices like the Galaxy S23 Ultra offering 10x optical zoom, among the highest in the industry.
However, its latest flagship, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, scaled back to a 5x optical zoom setup, leaving some fans questioning whether Samsung was stepping away from extreme zoom capabilities.
In contrast, Sony has been a leader in variable zoom technology, already offering smartphones with true continuous telephoto lenses that deliver sharper images across multiple zoom levels. This is something Samsung and most other brands have yet to achieve.
Chinese Brands’ Push For Innovation
Chinese smartphone makers, known for rapidly adopting new technologies, are now eyeing continuous zoom as their next big differentiator. With Samsung being one of the few companies capable of producing advanced camera sensors and modules at scale, these brands have approached the company for collaboration.
According to The Elec, if the project succeeds, Samsung will supply the new continuous optical zoom cameras to Xiaomi first. The move could help Xiaomi leap ahead in camera innovation while raising questions about when, or if, Samsung will integrate the technology into its own Galaxy lineup.
For now, the only certainty is that Samsung’s expertise remains in high demand, even if it means giving its rivals a technological edge.
