The Google Pixel 4 could have a 16MP telephoto lens, based on camera app code
Happy snappers
What treats will the Google Pixel 4 have in store for us? A 16MP telephoto lens as part of its rear camera array, if the latest rumors are to be believed – rumors based on code spotted in the official Google Camera app.
Some digging by the folks at XDA Developers revealed a reference to "Sabre" (Google's codename for telephoto) and the word "telephoto" itself. Further investigation by the team at 9to5Google turned up a reference to a 16MP image.
This is based on the 6.3 version of the Google Camera app, which is only available as part of the Android Q beta at the moment. We're expecting Android Q to launch before the Pixel 4 phones arrive in October.
- New tech promises better phone screens
- The Night Sight camera gets easier to use
- Mozilla is planning a Firefox VPN
Don't take this as official confirmation of the presence of a 16MP telephoto lens on the PIxel 4, but it does look likely that this code refers to one of the lenses inside the camera on the upcoming flagship (and maybe some serious zoom capabilities).
The Pixel story so far
The Google Pixel series has always been able to produce stunning camera shots, of course, even with a single-lens rear camera. Google's AI-powered image processing software does a lot of heavy lifting behind the scenes.
Based on the leaks we've seen so far, the Pixel 4 model is going to introduce a multi-lens rear camera on the back, with either two or three lenses to its name.
That could be partly due to the arrival of the Google Pixel 3a and Google Pixel 3a XL earlier this year. With those mid-range handsets to fall back on, Google can push the specs and capabilities of the Pixel 4.
Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox
Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more.
Other rumors we've heard up to this point include improved color capture and possibly another display notch. All will be revealed later this year – the Pixel 4 phones should be launching around October time.
Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.