This is a feature Xiaomi phones have that I sorely miss on Samsung phones. It is one of those things that make me shake my head and think "how could Samsung still leave out something this simple?".
There are several good reasons to have a continuous lamp option in photo mode, in addition to the short flash.
Now you know why.
Even though third-party apps can add this feature, something as simple as this should be part of the out-of-the-box experience. You only think of these things in the moment you need it. Having to look for a third-party app in the Play Store (or F-Droid or wherever) is a nuisance that should not be required for something as simple as turning on the light to be able to scan a QR code.
I wonder how long Samsung will need to implement this simple feature. In the early 2010s, people already started asking for a light on/off switch that could be used while recording a video, not just before it. It took Samsung over a decade to add this simple thing when it shouldn't have taken a single afternoon. In 2015, on the S6 running Android 5.0, the torch light accessed from the quick settings menu would actually stay on after you launched the camera, but it seems this was just accidental, because since the Android 6.0 update and the S7, launching the camera turns off the torch light.
It could be because EXIF does not support storing a "continuous light" parameter. I haven't found out whether it does, but if not, that could be a reason. EXIF supports custom fields anyway, which can be used for this.
See also:
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[I hereby release this post into the public domain, CC0 1.0. Feel free to copy and paste this anywhere. You don't have to credit me.]
There are several good reasons to have a continuous lamp option in photo mode, in addition to the short flash.
- Eye comfort: A sudden short bright flash in a dark environment could cause eye discomfort.
- Real-time preview: If you are in a dark environment, a continuous light feature helps you adjusting the camera. It helps you point the camera and focus and adjust parameters such as exposure and light sensitivity and white balance without depending on an external light source. With the non-continuous flash, you have to hope that the camera focuses and adjusts exposure correctly. You have no control.
- Speed: With flash on, the camera will turn on the light for a few seconds to be able to autofocus. With continuous light, it already focuses while the light is on and is immediately able to capture once you press the button. No need to refocus every time for each picture.
- Avoids disturbance: Unlike a sudden short flash, a continuous light lets you take pictures in a dim room without causing people from the other end of the room looking your way.
- Prevents epilepsy attacks: Some people suffer from epilepsy unfortunately. A continuous light feature would be more convenient for them.
- Illuminated burst shots: Although I rarely ever use burst mode, illuminating burst shots with no external light source is another possibility you get with a continuous light in photo mode.
- Magnifying glass: While some smartphones (Samsung included) have separate apps for a virtual magnification glass, it is convenient to have it built right into the camera app. With a built in light, the readability of text in darkness is significantly improved.
- QR code scanning: What if you want to scan a QR code in darkness? Modern smartphone camera applications feature a built-in QR code scanner, but unless the photo viewer features built-in QR code detection too, you can't scan QR codes in darkness without continuous light. Without a continuous lamp feature, you depend on an external light source. Imagine shoveling two grand for an S25 just to find yourself unable to scan a QR code in darkness because of a missing button in its camera app. Imagine having to ask your friend to turn on their phone lamp or having to spend minutes searching for a third-party app just so you can scan a QR code in a dark place because the camera app won't let you use the built-in flash of your phone as a continuous lamp. Embarrassing.
Now you know why.
Even though third-party apps can add this feature, something as simple as this should be part of the out-of-the-box experience. You only think of these things in the moment you need it. Having to look for a third-party app in the Play Store (or F-Droid or wherever) is a nuisance that should not be required for something as simple as turning on the light to be able to scan a QR code.
I wonder how long Samsung will need to implement this simple feature. In the early 2010s, people already started asking for a light on/off switch that could be used while recording a video, not just before it. It took Samsung over a decade to add this simple thing when it shouldn't have taken a single afternoon. In 2015, on the S6 running Android 5.0, the torch light accessed from the quick settings menu would actually stay on after you launched the camera, but it seems this was just accidental, because since the Android 6.0 update and the S7, launching the camera turns off the torch light.
It could be because EXIF does not support storing a "continuous light" parameter. I haven't found out whether it does, but if not, that could be a reason. EXIF supports custom fields anyway, which can be used for this.
See also:
The "X had this in year Y before" thread
This thread is for documenting the times companies try to sell something as innovative that others did long ago but it was abandoned and forgotten about, as well as the times companies waited way too long to finally implement a well-overdue...
xdaforums.com
[I hereby release this post into the public domain, CC0 1.0. Feel free to copy and paste this anywhere. You don't have to credit me.]
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