• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Really Dumb Question - Forward Facing Camera?

Puddin422

Android Expert
Jun 17, 2010
1,382
114
When a phone is advertised/rumored to have a forward/front facing camera, does this automatically mean this is a secondary camera to a standard outward facing one?

Or, has it ever meant that the ONLY camera on the phone faced the front? That can't be...can it?
 
I really hope they don't become the next huge thing that all new high end phones get. I could see myself using it once just to play with it and then just being mildly annoyed by the extra clutter of that little lens from then on...

Can't see that being the case TBH, I've had loads of phones that had these because, despite what Apple thinks, video calling has been around for years. Most people have realised that it's pants though, which is why most other phones have dropped them. I don't think Apple picking them back up is going to cause a resurgence.
 
Upvote 0
OK... Let me try again: Front facing cameras would be a waste for me and I would prefer not to see them installed on new phones. I like a clean look and a little useless lens would ruin that for me.

Dude, have u seen the evos camera? Its like hard to identify it, its like a light sensor... I don't see how it could ruin the look of the phone.. yeah they're not the biggest feature of a phone, but hey its a little extra that could be handy one day in your life.
 
Upvote 0
Dude, have u seen the evos camera? Its like hard to identify it, its like a light sensor... I don't see how it could ruin the look of the phone.. yeah they're not the biggest feature of a phone, but hey its a little extra that could be handy one day in your life.

Ok, if its tiny like that then I withdraw my previous statement. I figured it would be at least close to the size of the main camera...
 
Upvote 0
Ok, if its tiny like that then I withdraw my previous statement. I figured it would be at least close to the size of the main camera...
Oh heavens no. The front facing camera is generally a much lower resolution, so it doesn't need a large sensor or viewing hole. For example, the EVO's is a 1.3 MP fixed focus camera in the front (which is about what you would find in many webcams). Not amazing quality, but it serves its purpose for video calls and snapshots.
 
Upvote 0
Here's a front and back pic of the Evo just for comparison. :)

htc-evo-4g-phone.jpg
 
Upvote 0

BEST TECH IN 2023

We've been tracking upcoming products and ranking the best tech since 2007. Thanks for trusting our opinion: we get rewarded through affiliate links that earn us a commission and we invite you to learn more about us.

Smartphones