Samsung Patents Phone with Replaceable Lens and Modular Accessories

After Xiaomi, Realme, and Vivo, Samsung is reportedly developing an electronic device featuring a replaceable lens assembly. Patent images imply it could be a modular phone that has an actuator to adjust the lens assembly. Besides the lens, the phone could accommodate other modular accessories. Here’s a closer look at the components and how the proposed design might work:

Samsung Working on Phone with Replaceable Lens Assembly and Modular Accessories, Patent Reveals

The patent, which was filed last year, was published by WIPO with the patent number WO/2025/084594 and was issued on April 24, 2025. The device would consist of several components, including a housing containing all of the other parts, a replaceable lens assembly, an image sensor for converting light from that lens into pictures, and a motor or actuator for moving either the lens or the sensor. This actuator could even possibly allow for movement along the optical axis – for focus or zoom – and also up and down – for stabilization or alignment. And its lens assembly is embedded in the device, unlike a third-party option such as the Moment Lens.

The lens assembly could be mounted to the device housing detachably. The actuator is furnished in the outer body and not in the lens assembly, so with the actuator, it would be able to perform AF and stabilization, minimizing the space and facilitating the design. Several actuators may act autonomously following the subject’s proximity or the device’s point of view. It is possible that a revolving ring for zoom may also be considered.

To identify which lens is attached, the device could use a magnet, an RFID tag, or a reflector/resistor embedded in the lens. The processor would then adjust settings such as the F-number and the initial lens or sensor positions accordingly. Additionally, the device housing could accommodate replaceable accessory modules, such as extra displays, batteries, flash units, fans, or even a compass or watch. However, this is still in the conceptual phase and should be viewed with caution.

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