Mobile phone cameras are often considered to be at par with full fledged digital cameras, and it appears that Samsung is in the process of improving it further. Importantly, it emerged recently that the company had filed a patent application for "Duo Pixel" and many think this refers to a new technology for cameras.

BGR reporting on the patent filing states that it follows a previous trademark that Samsung associated with its BRITECELL camera sensor. In the current patent filing however, the Korean manufacturer did not specifically outline how the technology would work but many industry pundits have indicated that it could involve the pixel setup being changed in the new camera.

Others meanwhile have drawn parallels with how the Dual Pixel sensor created by Canon works, and indicated that two photodiodes would be used for each pixel area, and this could eventually replace the auto-focus on the current camera. Samsung currently uses phase-detection for autofocus on its cameras but with the aid of a dual pixel sensor the time taken to focus would be cut down and this would improve the quality of videos and photos.

Commenting on the Samsung Duo Pixel patent, Slash Gear states that Samsung is creating a special device with two cameras or more. It interestingly points to the patent and adds the wording used in it specifically indicated that the Duo Pixel could be used to capture virtual reality content. Samsung already has a VR headset in the market in the form of the Gear VR, but it can only be used with the flagship handsets that released this year, notably the Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, Note 5 and the S6 Edge . However, it is clear that with the VR market expanding that demand for VR content is going to increase and the Duo Pixel camera would be able to capture such content.

Finally, it is thought that if the Duo Pixel is indeed a standalone device it will be offered to customers next year so that they can capture VR content to be displayed on their phone.