Galaxy S4 Zoom could have 10X optical zoom, thinner body than Galaxy Camera

Samsung’s strategy to bring multiple versions of the Galaxy S4 catering to different needs seems to be powering ahead full steam. After hearing about the Galaxy S4 Zoom, the variant of the current flagship geared towards shutterbugs, we were sceptical that it would be just a slightly different version of the Samsung Galaxy Camera.

But it looks like Samsung has given a lot more thought into the design of the phone. The Galaxy Camera looked like an odd device and was too bulky to be used as a daily driver. The S4 Zoom is expected to have a 4.3” qHD Super AMOLED display and a 16 megapixel camera sensor with optical zoom. That’s the same sensor as the Galaxy Camera, but according to Hi-Tech.ru, the Galaxy S4 Zoom will be getting 10X optical zoom.

Samsung is putting thought into the S4 Zoom's design

Samsung has decided to fine-tune the optical zoom mechanism and has downgraded it to 10X optical zoom in the Galaxy S4 Zoom. This was done to keep the thickness of the device down and make it look more or less similar to the Galaxy S4’s girth.

Just for some perspective, the Nokia 808 PureView, widely considered the best outfitted phone camera, had 3X optical zoom. The Galaxy S4 Zoom also received a Bluetooth certification recently, which generally means it’s about to be unveiled soon. Perhaps an IFA announcement has been planned for the various Galaxy S4 siblings. Besides the S4 Zoom, Samsung has a rugged version of the S4 as well as a mini version a la last year’s S3 Mini.