Yes, that Galaxy S10 clicking noise or sound from camera is completely normal

NOTICE: We’ve created an archive of all major developments related to the Samsung Galaxy S10 lineup. We are continuously updating that page with latest S10e/S10/S10+ news so that you don’t need to search for information related to the device on daily basis. Head here to access that page.

The factors that separate the mid-rangers from flagships are changing with the course of time. For example, AMOLED displays once were used only on top-tier smartphones. Within a few years, OEMs started to bundle them with entry level mid-range phones.

I’m not much into market economy, but that move is inevitable. From the perspective of end users, increment in purchasing factor and demand are two notable factors.

Smartphone makers had to change their strategies. Instead of differentiating on the basis of hardware, the ranges are now being decided on the basis of software based optimizations. The more premium handset you are buying, the more polished software experience will be waiting for you.

Bundling multiple camera sensors with phones is nothing new, but fine tuning them is an entirely different story. Samsung is regularly able to achieve positive critical responses with the professional grade camera processing in their flagship S and Note lineup.

2019’s Galaxy S10 is not an exception. The South Korean giant managed to cram three rear cameras in regular Galaxy S10 as well as S10+ (four in S10 5G) – one telephoto, one wide-angle and one ultra wide.

However, things are getting little bit uncomfortable, as several users are reporting about a mysterious clicking noise while using the camera of their shiny new S10.

Anyone owning s10e. Do you have such thing that camera diaphragm is being closed and reopened on every camera mode switch? In quiet room it sounds at least strange.

(Source)

Before you freak out, let me assure you. The sound is a perfectly normal event, as it is originated from the camera adjusting their aperture.

Those who are interested to see the camera module movement, please take a look at the S10 teardown video by JerryRigEverything from the 4:02 mark:

Samsung introduced variable aperture first time with the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. They came with inbox support for two aperture values: f/1.5 and f/2.4.

As a matter of fact, Galaxy S9 (including Note 9) users suffered from the similar confusions in 2018.

Clicking noise: Every time the back camera is turned on, the shutter makes a clicking noise. This happens when entering the Camera app or when switching from the front camera to the back camera. The shutter moves and clicks once. It’s pretty quiet, but audible in a space without noise. Here’s a video of the shutter clicking when the camera is being turned on: https://youtu.be/Ptc4eyKTfkY (it can be heard at 0:02.5 and at 0:06.5) Question: Is this normal?

(Source)

The explanation was pretty much the same:

FYI, the primary camera module of Samsung Galaxy S10 comes with a 12 MP sensor with 1.4µm pixels and 26mm-equivalent, f/1.5–f/2.4 variable aperture lens, Dual-Pixel AF and optical image stabilization (OIS).

The rear camera setup of S10+ has got a whopping 109 score by DxOMark, and currently one of the three top scorers in the index.

The concept of variable aperture dates back to the early age of photography using analog cameras. Unfortunately those are largely unknown to the point-and-click smartphone camera users.

Alternate heading: That Galaxy S10 clicking noise in camera is a feature, not a bug!

TL;DR: Your fancy Galaxy S10 is not broken. Go, shoot some pics.

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