Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Google's Next Budget Phone Virtually Eliminates the Camera Bump
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It's also going to have a 422ppi adaptive refresh rate ("ProMotion") OLED screen with 1000/1800/2700 nits of brightness (Normal/HDR/Peak)
iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max is 460ppi and 1000/1600/2000 (Normal/HDR/Peak)
That's right ... their "budget" offering is going to have a screen rivaling iPhone Pro screens
iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max is 460ppi and 1000/1600/2000 (Normal/HDR/Peak)
That's right ... their "budget" offering is going to have a screen rivaling iPhone Pro screens
I’m really glad this is the trend for “regular” phones. We don’t need dsl quality for many of us. The bump is getting rediculousbfor those of us without a case.
Google appears to be tackling one of smartphones' most persistent design quirks – the camera bump. According to leaked renders published by Android Headlines, the upcoming Pixel 9A will feature an almost flush camera housing, which would be a significant departure from the bumper-sized camera bumps common in modern smartphones.
The mid-range device's camera module sits nearly level with the phone's chassis, based on side-view renders. That said, the design choice comes with at least one trade-off in camera specifications, as the Pixel 9A will reportedly feature a 48MP main lens, down from the 64MP sensor in its predecessor, the Pixel 8A. The phone will retain a 13MP ultrawide lens and a 13MP front-facing camera, according to the outlet.
Despite housing the camera components further inside the device, which will start at $499, Google has apparently managed to include what could be the largest battery ever in a Pixel phone. The 5,100mAh capacity battery exceeds even that of the premium $1,299 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, suggesting Google has found innovative ways to utilize the internal space.
Could Future iPhone Camera Bumps Get Smaller?
The camera bump on iPhones has been a contentious design element since its introduction with the iPhone 6 in 2014. Apple adopted the protrusion to maintain device thinness while accommodating more advanced camera technology, although the design prevented phones from lying flat on surfaces – a complaint that has persisted as camera bumps have grown increasingly prominent.
However, the trend toward slimmer profiles that is gaining momentum across the industry could see ever smaller camera bumps. Apple is reportedly developing an iPhone 17 Air model that will prioritize thinness over camera capabilities, according to rumors. The device is expected to feature a runway-style horizontal bar across the top of the phone, similar to the design seen on the Google Pixel 9 Pro.
To achieve the slimmed down design, the device is expected to have only one camera, as opposed to two or three. It's not clear whether that will reduce the extent to which the camera module protrudes from the case, but the Pixel 9A suggests the smartphone industry's new obsession with thinness could be coming after the camera bump next.
Article Link: Google's Next Budget Phone Virtually Eliminates the Camera Bump
Only in the Timmy’s Apple world. You’ll only see this coming from Apple.
Are people really that bothered by the bump? I never notice it. My phone is in a case. Same with the island. It’s never bothered me. To each their own, though!
So everyone complaining about the camera bump will be satisfied with a budget phone? I doubt it.
Google’s own website refers to it as ‘budget-friendly‘. To the extent it may be ‘flagship level’ it’s because Google’s main business is not hardware. There’s no expectation for Google to sell a ton of hardware at high margins. There is with Apple.
I'm one of those rare people then. Often at dinner I'll place my iPhone 15 Pro Max on the counter I'm sitting at, and tap and scroll on the screen with my left hand, reading the news, while eating with my right hand. I don't experience the camera bulge wobble since the case my iPhone is in, adds no thickness to the camera bump, but it's just thick enough on the rest of its rear to reduce the wobble so I never notice it, if it wobbles at all.
But I know many people don't like to put their phones into a case, something like 25%, according to figures quoted in this thread.
Last edited:
If Google was going to go through the effort to reduce the camera bump so much, I wonder why they didn't go all the way and have no bump at all. I'm not sure what function a barely-raised glass cover over the lenses provides, as opposed to a flat glass cover flush with the rest of the back. A bump that sticks out any distance at all would seem to make this area the target of more scratches than if the entire back of the phone was flat.
When the phone is lying flat on its back the camera bump acts to lift the lens above the surface. This helps reduce damage.
Good to see this. Will be interesting to see all the slimmer devices such as the S25 Edge, this new pixel phone and of course the slimmer iPhone.
Not expecting any camera bump to reduce for the iPhones in the near future. However with only a single camera rumored for the iPhone Air, it should be possible for the future versions in the coming years.
Not expecting any camera bump to reduce for the iPhones in the near future. However with only a single camera rumored for the iPhone Air, it should be possible for the future versions in the coming years.
Yes it is a functional problem. I lay my phone on its back so I can interact with it (see and clear/acknowledge notifications, unlock to enter an MFA code). This is how we used iPhones before the iPhone 6. Giving benefit of doubt, and consideration of time, it’s entirely possible you may not have known this (not being snarky, promise; iPhones 4 thru 6 were a long time ago).
I use my phone ceaseless (always have since iPhone 4S when I realized the victimizing and demeaning psychology of case manufacturers; they play mental games on you) and so the camera bump-induced instability is maddening.
All of the above now applies to iPad mini 6 and above, and all other iPads. Bumps are lazy design engineering.
Check my other posts for my consistent and constant harsh critiques of other terrible designs since iPhone 6, including the terrible rounded edges until iPhone 12 reverted to squared design of iPhone 4 thru 5S. Notice how all Apple ads and product placements have the iPhone facedown on the tables and surfaces. Apple marketing knows this is a problem.
(This is directed to the Apple designers, who will of course never see this post): Laying a phone on its face then having to always pick it up to flip it over is epic stupidity of usability. If I WANT it face down, I’ll do that. When it’s just me in the room, that’s stupid to force it upon me.
I agree they look good but I think the One Plus phones look the best. I would not buy one due to size and the country of ownership but I like the look.
Those corners, antenna bands and the back are giving me some slight SE1 vibes!
A shame it's going to be so big
I still have mine (SE1), for these reasons. I’m glad to see the tide is slowly turning back towards all the things I called out in 2016 as being issues. Only took ~10 years. 🙄