Flashback: Samsung Galaxy S4 zoom, the phone that was mostly a camera

17 May 2020
Its 1/2.33" sensor was pretty large for the time and had OIS (a rarity in 2013). But the headlining feature was the 10x zoom with retractable lens.

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I don't understand why this design was completely abandoned. Sure it was large and heavy for its time but there have been phenomenal advancements in sensors and lenses since this device. Thickness aside, S20 Ultra is already much larger than S4 zoom including weight.
Instead of that patch of sensors, they could have built something like this. If the thickness could be kept under 12mm, it would have been a great imaging device.

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    • Lynx2025
    • D9X
    • 18 May 2020

    I wanted to buy this phone. But I was disappointed with the "mini" specs. I never understood why it came with a so small screen. I dreamt for long at this time to have a 5" phone with a real camera in the back and no compromises.

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      • AnonD-926702
      • 9G2
      • 18 May 2020

      MATE 30 PRO 5G, 17 May 2020I had got a Galaxy K Zoom and I took some spectacular photo... morehave fun without google play service lol, huawei outside of china is dying without google

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        • AnonD-926702
        • 9G2
        • 18 May 2020

        Wezz, 17 May 2020Either way smartphones will kill cameras foreverno they wont, not now not in 10 years

          It is too weighted as a smartphone.

            Well, even years after the Zoom, this is still the only way to make a real leap in camera hardware, most of the important improvements we've seen so far are software based.

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              • Anonymous
              • fFC
              • 18 May 2020

              k zoom improved the design ... at least it look like a phone rather than a point and shoot camera..

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                • LilPhone
                • xZI
                • 18 May 2020

                Was a decent phone. Unfortunately not many ppl were interested. The design is just strange. Wondering if the back was removable that time. The OS is also very slow.

                  I always wanted this phone and admired it a lot but it was more expensive than the S4 where I lived so I bought the S4. However, I kind of regret that decision in retrospect, this would have been great!

                    Prince , 17 May 2020Still using S4 with pride. Thank you Samsung.The phone that is smarter than the s versions today, and with 80% of the "new" features in today's s models. And you could kind of have an conversation with s-voice. Not like todays 'I'll look that up for you'.

                      They should make more Camera Phone like that, which will be more convenient and powerful in hands of 2days tec.

                        I had got a Galaxy K Zoom and I took some spectacular photos with a 10x optical zoom that no current smartphone has.
                        But Samsung itself was its worst enemy: it realesed with Android KitKat 4.4.2 and did not update it even once, and that I don't forgive Samsung.
                        Now, I am happy with my Huawei Mate 30 Pro 5G.
                        Goodbye Samsung !!! Great job destroying this device !!!

                          Manhurt, 17 May 2020There is a SLIMMER version. Zenfone Zoom.No that defeats the whole point by only offering 3x zoom. This offers 10x.

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                            • LA
                            • pRB
                            • 17 May 2020

                            I still have this phone with me

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                              • Htr
                              • B3i
                              • 17 May 2020

                              i have k zoom. still working and takes amazing pictures.

                                Was exceptionally bad camera, sitting on almost as bad phone. Samsung.

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                                  • Wezz
                                  • 6rI
                                  • 17 May 2020

                                  YUKI93, 17 May 2020Errr... no, not even a chance. Heck, I'd even say that smar... moreWhat matters is the result, more years go, more smartphones give very beautiful pictures.
                                  Cameras will soon be a niche market like the mp3 player market or only for enthusiasts. This is why Sony starts to manufacture smartphones with photo capacity for professional. But for the moment they dont want competing against its own products but when the camera market is buried by smartphone then it will take out the fangs and show what it can do. People want take beautiful pic easy without being crowded, IA and thing bayer contribute to that, what matters is the result.

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                                    • Prince
                                    • sBU
                                    • 17 May 2020

                                    Still using S4 with pride. Thank you Samsung.

                                      YUKI93, 17 May 2020That goes for the Galaxy Camera and Galaxy Camera 2, they a... moreWell i meant this device looks like camera more than smartphone , i know it does have same features as smartphone

                                        Nothing New, 17 May 2020Smart camera not smartphoneThat goes for the Galaxy Camera and Galaxy Camera 2, they are indeed smart camera. Eventhough both of them have either 3G or 4G LTE connectivity, you cannot make any phone calls or send SMS with both Galaxy at all.

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