Ai, short for artificial intelligence, is becoming a major part of our daily lives. From personal digital assistants to Copilot+ PCs, we’re seeing Ai built into our tech. And, now Ai is making smartphone cameras better too. Thanks to machine learning, smartphone cameras have now become more intelligent than ever before. So it’s time to zoom in on what Ai is in phone cameras and how it’s changing the way we take pictures.
How Ai cameras work in mobile phones
Ai cameras work by using complex algorithms and machine learning to identify what you’re trying to take a picture of and then making your shot look its best. Whether it’s people, places or your delicious brunch, Ai cameras work out what your subject is and then automatically adjust camera settings to capture the best possible image.
Types of Ai camera phones: from Triple to Quad
Ai camera phones come with different types of camera setups. Most commonly, they use dual or triple lenses that work together to create depth, enhanced zoom and to capture lots of images at once. But quad-camera phones are also getting more popular – most Ultra models of Samsung Galaxy phones now come with a quad camera set up. These lenses are a mix of telephoto, wide and ultra-wide that together can measure relative distances to give you sharper, more detailed images with an amazing sense of depth.
Key features of Ai cameras in phones
So, we’ve talked about how Ai can work with phone cameras to give you better photos, but what does that mean for you? This is where we’ll break it down.
Scene detection and optimisation
Ai cameras can detect the type of scene you’re taking a picture of and change the camera settings accordingly. This means you don’t have to be a pro photographer to capture stunning and lifelike photos. For instance, if you’re taking a picture of a sunset, the Ai camera identifies the colours of the sky and the landscape. Then goes to work playing with settings to enhance the colours and to give the image the right amount of contrast. So you end up with a mini masterpiece. Nothing comes close to experiencing a breathtaking view firsthand, but Ai wizardry is getting us closer.
Real-time image processing
You don’t need to be an expert editor either. Ai cameras analyse the image as soon as you take it and then makes adjustments immediately. This results in pictures that are crisper and sharper, with improved colour and contrast. Real-time image processing also reduces motion blur in moving objects, giving you amazing action shots.
Better portrait modes with Ai
With Ai-enabled portrait mode, the camera can blur the background and keep the subject in sharp focus. Ai cameras also identify faces in the frame and optimise the settings to capture fantastic portraits. And this isn’t a brand new feature – machine learning has been doing this for a while. But now new Ai is taking that to the next level.
Exceptional clarity in night photos
One of the real game changers of Ai cameras is how well they can take photos at night. With Ai-powered low light modes, the camera can capture stunning photos in even the darkest settings. How? Ai cameras uses advanced algorithms to adjust exposure levels, reduce noise and enhance the details of the image. This means clear and detailed photos even in challenging conditions. Can you remember what photos of nights out looked like 20 years ago? Things have really moved on.
Stable and clear shots in low-light conditions
And it’s not just dark conditions that can be a problem. Ai cameras are designed to capture stable and clear shots in low-light conditions too. Ai-powered image stabilisation compensates for our shaky hands when we take a photo. The Ai camera also adjusts exposure time, enhances details and reduces noise in the image.
What is the difference between an Ai camera and normal camera?
The main difference between an Ai camera and a normal camera is the advanced technology used in Ai cameras. Normal cameras have a lot of the same settings, but rely on the user to know how to adjust them to get the best result – and most of us just don’t have that kind of knowledge or skill. That’s where Ai camera features come in.
We’ve already talked about low-light photography and image stabilisation – which uses a combination of a physical gyroscope and Ai algorythms to correct for blurriness. But then there’s facial recogntion technology – which can do everything from recognise facial expressions to track movement. Ai cameras can also take lots of different photos at once and then blend the best bits of them to create stunning images.
And since Ai cameras are on internet-connected devices, new software updates can continue to improve these features. If you want to get the same result with a conventional camera, you’ll need to spend money on better hardware or go on a photography course!
Best phone models with Ai cameras
More and more new phones are adopting Ai camera technology, so it’s a great time to upgrade! New iPhones, Samsung Galaxies and Google Pixels (and loads of other top brands too) are pushing the technology further all the time. It’s an exciting time for Ai phone cameras, so check out some of the best new phones below.