The Telephoto is the Only Phone Camera that Really Matters

Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra marked a turning point in how phone manufacturers approach telephoto lenses with its Space Zoom feature, a 5x optical folded periscope lens capable of digitally zooming much further. Huawei and Oppo had already integrated periscopic technology into their phones, but Samsung’s marketing efforts made it a key selling point. The company’s focus on the S20 Ultra’s Space Zoom underscored the significance of this feature in the camera world, where optical quality is paramount. As a result, other manufacturers have since followed suit, incorporating similar technologies into their flagship devices.