# Samsung reinvents phone zoom!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcwwWoXeR04
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/JcwwWoXeR04
Generated: 2026-03-13T16:03:58.435+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Samsung is incorporating a new camera technology called ALoP (All Lens on Prism) into the rumored Galaxy S26 Ultra, which uses a square-ish prism to redirect light sideways through a series of lenses onto the image sensor, allowing for a potentially longer optical zoom range while keeping the overall camera module smaller than conventional folded zoom systems, though the module itself is slightly taller.

**Key Points:**
- Samsung is integrating a new camera system called ALoP (All Lens on Prism) into the unconfirmed Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- ALoP uses a square-ish prism to bend light sideways through lenses to the sensor, enabling long optical zoom without the large camera island of traditional folded zoom.
- The ALoP module is physically smaller in volume compared to the conventional folded zoom module it replaces, although the external camera bump is slightly taller.
- The new design allows Samsung to increase lens aperture and capture more light while avoiding the large, circular camera bulges seen on competitors like the Xiaomi X300 Ultra and the Huawei P70.
- The video also briefly mentioned Google's Gemini AI gaining app control capabilities for ordering food on Uber Eats, DJI's new Avata 360 drone featuring 8K 360-degree recording, Volkswagen's EV production shift to South Korea, and Apple increasing iPhone production in India to 25% of total output to avoid US tariffs.
- iFixit reported that the new MacBook Neo scores a perfect 10/10 for repairability due to simple screws and no adhesives, allowing for replacement of nearly every component, including the RAM via an LP-CAMM2 module.
- The DJI Avata 360 drone, co-engineered by Insan3, enables intuitive motion control via pointing the controller and allows a third person to view the FPV feed in real-time through the goggles.

![Screenshot at 00:30: A side-by-side comparison illustrating the internal structure of Samsung's new ALoP \(All Lens on Prism\) zoom module on the right, showing the lens stack positioned directly on top of the prism, versus the 'Conventional Folded Zoom' module on the left, which uses a more complex, bulky folded structure.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JcwwWoXeR04/00-00-30.jpg)

**Context:** This video summarizes several recent technology news items from the past week, presented in a rapid-fire format typical of tech news roundups. The main focus is on rumored camera hardware advancements for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, specifically the introduction of the ALoP periscope zoom system. The summary also touches upon software updates (Gemini app control), new product releases (DJI drone), corporate manufacturing shifts (Apple, Volkswagen), and repairability news (MacBook Neo).

## Detailed Analysis

The primary focus of the news roundup is Samsung's potential camera upgrade for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, featuring the ALoP (All Lens on Prism) technology. This system deviates from standard folded zoom by using a square-ish prism to redirect light sideways through the lens elements onto the image sensor. This design allows the overall module volume to be smaller than previous folded zoom designs, although the external circular bump housing the lenses is slightly taller. This approach lets Samsung achieve longer optical zoom capabilities while maintaining a flatter profile compared to competitors like the Xiaomi X300 Ultra, which uses large, circular camera bulges. In other tech news, Google's Gemini AI now supports agentic task automation on Android, successfully ordering a spicy chicken sandwich via Uber Eats by navigating the app interface. DJI announced the Avata 360 drone, co-engineered with Insan3, which shoots 8K 360-degree video and features an intuitive motion controller allowing the pilot to aim the drone by simply pointing the controller, with the pilot able to see the feed in real-time through VR goggles. On the manufacturing front, Apple is increasing iPhone production in India, which now accounts for about 25% of its total output, moving away from China to avoid US tariffs, with plans to source more components locally. Volkswagen is struggling, slashing 50,000 jobs after profits collapsed nearly in half following the Dieselgate scandal and competition from EVs, though they recently launched a large-scale battery storage project with their energy subsidiary, Elli. Finally, iFixit praised the new MacBook Neo for achieving a 10/10 repairability score because it uses simple screws, lacks adhesives, and allows easy replacement of major components like RAM via an LP-CAMM2 module. The roundup concluded with AltStore joining the Fediverse, enabling users to install apps like Delta and Pure Tube from its Mastodon server.

### Samsung's ALoP Camera

- Samsung secretly released a new class of camera for the Galaxy S26 Ultra called ALoP (All Lens on Prism)
- ALoP uses a square-ish prism to reflect light sideways through lenses onto the sensor, enabling long optical zoom
- The module volume is smaller than conventional folded zoom, but the external camera circle is slightly taller

### Gemini Android App Control

- Gemini app control launched, reportedly working 'wild'
- The AI can automate multi-step tasks like ordering food on Uber Eats, including item selection and tip confirmation
- Supported apps currently include Lyft, Uber, Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Starbucks

### Apple's India Shift

- Apple now makes about 25% of its iPhones in India following a pivot from China to avoid US tariffs
- Production is increasing yearly, projected to reach $20+ Billion in fiscal year 2025
- Apple assembly partners in India include Foxconn and Tata

### DJI Avata 360 Drone

- DJI announced the Avata 360, an 8K flagship 360-degree drone, launching March 26th
- The drone features highly intuitive gesture control via a motion controller, allowing users to point the controller to direct flight
- The FPV experience is immersive, providing real-time third-person views through VR headsets

### Volkswagen Business Update

- Volkswagen slashed 50,000 jobs after profits collapsed by nearly half, attributed partly to US tariffs and struggling EV sales
- Volkswagen launched its first large-scale battery storage project in South Germany using LFP battery cells from its own energy company, Elli, to offset car sales struggles

### MacBook Neo Repairability

- iFixit gave the new MacBook Neo a 10/10 for repairability
- The device features no adhesives, simple screws, and user-replaceable components, including RAM via an LP-CAMM2 module

### AltStore Joins Fediverse

- AltStore officially joined the Fediverse, allowing users to download apps like Delta and Pure Tube
- Users can interact with Fediverse content directly from the App Store page

![Screenshot at 00:04: Visual introduction to the main stories of the week, including Samsung's camera technology and Apple's production shift to India.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JcwwWoXeR04/00-00-04.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:30: Internal comparison diagram showing Samsung's ALoP camera design, where lenses stack on top of a prism, contrasting it with conventional folded zoom.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JcwwWoXeR04/00-00-30.jpg)
![Screenshot at 03:34: Bloomberg headline confirming Apple now makes about 25% of iPhones in India after pivoting from China, visualized with a bar chart showing production growth.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JcwwWoXeR04/00-03-34.jpg)
![Screenshot at 08:51: Close-up view of the DJI Avata 360 drone and the VR headset, demonstrating the immersive first-person view experience and the drone's multiple sensor arrays for object avoidance.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/JcwwWoXeR04/00-08-51.jpg)
