What Is A Rear Camera On A Phone

Triple Cameras

Camera quality has always been an important consideration for smartphone users. Lately, since the megapixel rat race has already run its course, OEMs have resorted to using multiple camera sensors to market improvements to this important aspect. (हिंदी में पढ़िए)

The trend is so in that chipset makers have already started upgrading their ISPs with additional interface ports to enable OEMs to add extra camera sensors and crunch feed from them simultaneously.

But, Do You Really Need Triple Camera Phones?

We have a deluge of triple camera phones out there, but do we really need triple cameras? And if yes, do all the phones employ them effectively to enhance our photo experience?

As an answer to these questions, here are the benefits of multiple camera sensors:

It brings together different facets of photography, which was earlier possible by using different lenses on DSLRs. So, overall, the camera system becomes more versatile.
The strength of computational photography using AI and software processing can synergize the final output.
The use of multiple cameras can drive other popular features like portrait bokeh effect, and low-light photography.
Manufacturers can combine feed from multiple sensors, resulting in better details and dynamic range.

All these advantages are enticing for sure. But, there are hurdles to be considered.

First, the manufacturer has to stuff in multiple cameras and that adds to the thickness and heft. Secondly, Just adding more sensors doesn't result in better image quality or even more versatility. The additions have to be meaningful and not just afterthoughts that only entail marketing advantage.

Let us take a look into the devices, which resort triple camera design.

1. Apple iPhone 12 Pro

Triple or Quad cameras have become a common sight among Android phones. Apple too has become a part of this triple rear camera race with iPhone 11 Pro series in 2019 and followed the same trend with its iPhone 12 Pro. The Cupertino giant's latest iPhone flagships pack three 12MP cameras and accompanied by a TOF 3D LiDER sensor and dual-LED dual-tone flash. There's a 12 MP selfie camera on the front as well.

Triple camera set-up in the new iPhones is versatile as they let you click images and videos at 0.5x, 1x or 2x optical zoom. The iPhone 11 Pro series also lets you switch between cameras flawlessly. Video capabilities of the iPhone 11 Pro series are top class. Long story short, the new iPhone 11 Pro is expected to be the best camera phone for the most part of 2020.

You may also consider iPhone 12 Pro Max

2. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (review) packs 108 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP Triple Rear setup. The wide-angle shooter and Telephoto depth sensors do their job as expected out of a Samsung crown jewel. Though it lacks a night mode, the image processing handles it pretty well. The metering has improved, AI optimizer over-saturates clicks, pleasant portraits and overall, the optics are impressive, to say the least. The front facade houses a 10MP within the hole punch cutout.

The Note 20 Ultra cameras support HDR10 video capture and you can shoot clips at 3840 x 1080 resolution at 60fps. Since the Galaxy Camera SDK is open-source to developers, you could expect third-party camera apps to work better. The camera also has an Instagram Mode that can be used to quickly shoot and share images on the social media platform.

Other Samsung phones with triple cameras under Rs 30,000, that you may consider are:

Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G (review)
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G (review)
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite (review)
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite (review)
Samsung Galaxy A80
Samsung Galaxy A70S (review)
Samsung Galaxy A70 (review)
Samsung Galaxy A50S (review)
Samsung Galaxy A50 (review)
Samsung Galaxy F41 (review)
Samsung Galaxy M40 (review)
Samsung Galaxy M30S (review)
Samsung Galaxy M30 (review)

3. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra too jumped the triple camera bandwagon offering a a 50MP main shooter with f/2.0 aperture, coupled with an 48MP periscope telephoto sensor and 48MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide snapper. The selfie camera is a 20MP (f/2.2) sensor residing within a punch hole module.

If you're wondering, yes, there is a Snapdragon 888 processor, in-display optical fingerprint scanner, a 5000mAh battery and more in a sizeable spec sheet.

Other Xiaomi triple camera phones are:

Mi 11X Pro
Mi 11X
Redmi K20

4. Vivo X60 Pro

Vivo X60 Pro (review) packs a 48 MP + 13 MP + 13 MP Triple Camera with autofocus in the rear. The primary sensor uses pixel binning to produce 12MP optimum output. A similar practice is followed with the front camera's 32MP sensor which creates 8MP photos. However, you could still capture clicks at their highest pixel count. The primary sensors at the front and back bear Samsung image sensors.

You also get portrait mode, night mode, AI enhancements, AR stickers, and many other nifty quirks.

Other Vivo phones with triple cameras that you may consider are:

Vivo X60
Vivo V21 5G
Vivo V20 Pro
Vivo V20
Vivo V20 SE
Vivo Z1x (review)
Vivo S1 (review)
Vivo Z1 Pro (review)
Vivo Z1X (review)
Vivo U10 (review)

5. Huawei Mate 20 Pro

The Huawei Mate 20 Pro has a similar triple camera system with Leica optics and it's fueled by Huawei's latest 7nm Kirin 980 chipset. While the 40MP primary sensor and 8MP secondary sensor remain the same, the 20MP monochrome sensor has been replaced by a 20MP ultra wide-angle shooter.

This is a truly impressive camera system, one that can focus on objects just 2.5cm away. There is no dearth of whizzy tech on the new Mate 20 Pro, and the feature set also includes reverse wireless charging.

Buy now

Other Huawei flagships with triple cameras that you may consider:

Huawei Mate X (review)
Huawei P30 Lite (specs)
Honor 9X Pro (Specs)

6. OnePlus 7/ 7T Pro

This year Oneplus went all guns blazing with the 7 Pro (review) and later on OnePlus 7T Pro, both of which flaunt the triple camera upgrade at the back. The primary one is a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor with f/1.6 aperture. It is backed by OIS as well as EIS. Next up, you have an 8MP telephoto sensor that vaunts 3x zooming capability. It has an f/2.4 lens that supports OIS. Finally, the 16MP (f/2.2) super-wide sensor that goes stretches to 117-degrees. In the case of the 7T Pro, you also gain Macro shot capability.

At the front, there is a 16MP (f/2.0) 25mm wide shooter with EIS support.

Buy now

Other OnePlus phones that support triple camera are:

OnePlus 7T (review)

ALSO READ: Best 12GB RAM phones

ALSO READ: Redmi K20 Pro FAQ

7. Oppo Reno 10x Zoom Edition

As evident from the name, the head-turner would be Oppo Reno's (review) periscope-style telephoto lens that facilitates 10x Hybrid Optical Zoom with a 13MP sensor (f/3.0 aperture). This is part of a panel comprising 48MP(f/1.7 aperture) primary rear Sony IMX586 sensor with LED flash paired with and an 8MP (f/2.2 aperture) 120-degree Ultra Wide Lens.

A side-lifting pop-up selfie camera at the top adds to its cool quotient. The phone supports 4K capture at 60fps with OIS, audio zoom recording and 3D surround audio.

Buy now

Other Oppo phone with triple cameras that you may consider is:

Oppo R17 Pro

8. Xiaomi Mi 9

Xiaomi Mi 9 ships with flagship-grade features and Camera is a standout aspect, to say the least. At the back, you would find a vertically mounted triple shooter. The primary one is a 48MP Sony IMX586 camera with a 0.8 µm pixel size and 1/2" image sensor that uses Pixel Binning technology to produce 12MP shots. Rest, you have a 16MP secondary Ultra-wide sensor (f/2.2 aperture) and a telephoto lens with a 12MP sensor (f/2.2 aperture) for 2X optical zoom.

Mi 9's rear setup features Laser Autofocus that brings along PDAF and CDAF. As for videos, you get 2160p/30fps and super slow-mo videos at 960 fps.

Buy now

Other Xiaomi phones to consider are –

Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha
Xiaomi Mi A3 (review)

9. LG V50 ThinQ

The LG V50 ThinQ boasts off a triple camera setup (12 MP + 12 MP + 16 MP) in its recent flagship device. Coming to the triple camera setup, the primary rear camera is an f/1.5 aperture 12-megapixel sensor with 1.4μm size pixels. The second one is an ultra-wide-angle f/1.9 aperture 16MP camera with a 107-degree view field, and the third one is a 12MP f/2.4 aperture telephoto/portrait camera, which just adds depth to the pictures and helps give 2x zoom to the images.

LG has also customized its software to make the best use of the troika of rear cameras. They have introduced a new "triple preview" feature which will show you a live preview from all three cameras at the same time, allowing you to quickly pick the right one for the shot you're trying to capture without having to switch between them.

Buy now

Other LG phone with triple camera that you may consider is:

LG G8 ThinQ

10. Sony Xperia 1

This Sony flagship features a triple camera panel comprising of 12 MP + 12 MP wide-angle + 12 MP telephoto sensor combo. Sony has packed its indigenous BIONZ X sensors for image processing.

You would also like to know that this is one of a kind phone with Eye AF that lets up to 10fps recording with subject-based eye-tracking. Thus it should sport exemplary results in autofocus and exposure control. The main value proposition is, however, its 21:9 6.5-inch 4K OLED display.

Buy now

11. Motorola G8 Plus

Going with the trend, Moto G8 Plus packs a 48MP led triple camera setup. The troika includes a 16MP ultra-wide Action camera with 117-degree FoV and a 5-megapixel depth unit. The standout feature, i.e., Action Camera, lets you shoot horizontal videos while holding the phone vertically.

It also comes with night mode, up to 4K videography at 30fps, and upto 120fps HD slo-mo video recording. The selfie is handled by a 25MP shooter. As for the rest of the spec sheet, you get Snapdragon 665 chipset, 64GB onboard storage, 4gigs of RAM, Android 9 and 4000mAh power unit.

Buy now

Best Triple camera phones that you can buy

These are the triple camera phones currently available in the market. Needless to say, this trend is going to continue fervently over the coming years and even the chipset companies are designing their new processors to include multiple camera modules. We will keep updating the list as relevant phones surface in the future.

Here's the summary list of best triple camera phones in India in 2021:

Models	Cameras
Apple iPhone 11 Pro/Pro Max	12MP + 12 MP + 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S10+	16 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP
Huawei Mate 20 Pro	40 MP + 20 MP + 8 MP
OnePlus 7/7T Pro	48 MP + 16 MP + 8 MP
Redmi K20 Pro	48 MP + 13 MP + 8 MP
Oppo Reno 10X Zoom	48 MP + 13 MP + 8 MP
Vivo V15 Pro	48 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP
Xiaomi Mi 9	48 MP + 16 MP + 12 MP
LG V50 ThinQ	16 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP
Sony Xperia 1	12 MP + 12 MP + 12 MP
Motorola G8 Plus	48 MP + 16 MP + 5 MP