Samsung Note 8: Where's Dual Camera Mode?

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is equipped with a dual-lens camera that provides clear and steady photos even in low-light conditions or when there is camera shake. The dual-camera mode, or Dual Capture mode, allows users to take two pictures at the same time: a standard wide-angle shot and a Live Focus version, which applies a bokeh effect to the background. However, some users have reported that the dual-camera mode app is not available on their Note 8 devices, expressing confusion as Samsung's website mentions the dual-camera feature.

Dual camera mode not available on the Note 8

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is the company's first smartphone to feature dual cameras. The dual-camera system allows users to capture two images simultaneously—a standard wide-angle shot and a Live Focus image with a bokeh effect applied to the background. However, the dual-camera mode found on some other Samsung phones, where pictures or videos can be captured with both the front and rear cameras at the same time, is not available on the Note 8 as a native option.

While the Note 8 does have dual rear cameras, it does not offer the ability to use both the front and rear cameras simultaneously, which is a feature that some users have expressed disappointment over. This feature, often referred to as "Dual Camera Mode" or "Pic-in-Pic Mode", was available on older Samsung models like the Note 3 and Note 4.

To access the Dual Capture mode on the Note 8, users need to open the Camera app and tap the Live Focus option above the shutter button. This activates the Live Focus mode, where a slider controls the depth-of-field effect. After adjusting the settings, users can tap the Dual Capture icon at the top, which appears as a square with a dotted square behind it. This enables the phone to save both images with and without the Live Focus effect.

It is important to note that the Note 8 does not save Dual Capture photos as separate files. Instead, it places a toggle below the photo in the Gallery, allowing users to switch between the two versions. If users want to export or edit the standard exposure specifically, they need to select the "Save As New File" option in the top right corner.

For those who wish to use the dual front and rear camera mode on the Note 8, there are third-party apps available, such as DuoVision Camera, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. Additionally, some users have found a separate APK (Dual Camera APK) that enables this functionality and have reported success in using it without any issues.

Dual camera means using both rear-facing cameras

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 was the first Samsung smartphone to offer dual cameras. The dual-camera mode allows you to use both rear-facing cameras at the same time to take two pictures simultaneously. One is a standard wide-angle shot, and the other is a Live Focus version, which applies a bokeh effect to the background and zooms in on the subject.

To use the dual-camera mode on the Note 8, you need to open the Camera app and tap the Live Focus option above the shutter button. This puts you in Live Focus mode, where you can control the strength of the depth-of-field effect and see the background blur in real time. To capture both the Live Focus and regular exposures, tap the Dual Capture icon at the top, which looks like a square with a dotted square behind it. This will turn the icon yellow and notify you that both images will be saved at the same time.

The Note 8 stores Dual Capture photos as two versions of the same picture rather than two separate files. You can toggle between the Live Focus and normal versions in the Gallery. However, if you want to export the normal exposure to a photo editing or library app, you need to select the "Save As New File" option in the top right corner.

While the dual-camera mode on the Note 8 doesn't use the front and rear cameras simultaneously, it still offers a versatile photography experience by allowing users to capture two different versions of the same image with a simple tap of a button.

Dual Capture mode allows two pictures at once

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 was the first Samsung smartphone to offer dual cameras. One of the features of the dual-camera system is Dual Capture mode, which allows you to take two pictures at the same time.

Dual Capture mode is a feature of the Galaxy Note 8's Camera app. To access it, you first need to open the Camera app and tap the Live Focus option above the shutter button. This puts you into Live Focus mode, where you can control the strength of the depth-of-field effect and see the background blur applied in real time before you take the shot.

However, at this point, you will only be able to take a Live Focus photo. To capture both the Live Focus and regular exposures together, you need to tap the Dual Capture icon at the top of the screen, which looks like a square with a dotted square behind it. Tapping this icon turns it yellow and informs you that the phone will save both images simultaneously.

When you view your photos in the Gallery, you can toggle between the Live Focus and normal versions of the image with a tap. However, if you want to export the normal exposure specifically to a photo editing or library app, you’ll need to save it separately by selecting the "Save As New File" option.

Live Focus mode: control depth-of-field effect

The Live Focus mode on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 allows you to take high-quality portrait-style photos with a blurred background, an effect previously only achievable with DSLR cameras. This bokeh effect, as it is known, can be controlled in real-time using a slider above the shutter button. This adjusts the strength of the depth-of-field effect, with the viewfinder reflecting any changes made before you take the shot.

The Live Focus mode is operated by tapping the Live Focus option above the shutter button. The phone will then switch modes, utilising the Note 8's 2x optical zoom capability to close in on the subject. The camera zoom is fixed in Live Focus mode and cannot be adjusted. The phone will notify you when the conditions are ideal for Live Focus mode with a message above the blur slider.

The Live Focus mode has a few requirements to function. The phone must be about 4 feet away from the subject, neither any further nor closer, and the scene must be adequately lit. If these conditions are not met, you cannot capture a Live Focus image.

After taking a Live Focus photo, you can still adjust the depth-of-field effect. This can be done using the Adjust Background Blur option in the Gallery app. You can also save a new image with a different amount of blur using the depth slider in the Gallery app.

Dual Capture photos: toggle between Live Focus and normal versions

The Dual Capture feature on the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 allows you to take two pictures at the same time: a standard wide-angle shot and a Live Focus version, which applies a bokeh effect to the background. This feature is accessible via the Camera app.

To capture both the Live Focus and normal versions of a photo, you need to first open the Camera app and tap the Live Focus option above the shutter button. This activates Live Focus mode, where you can adjust the strength of the depth-of-field effect. You will see the background blur applied in real time before capturing the image.

To enable Dual Capture, tap the Dual Capture icon at the top of the screen, which appears as a square with a dotted square behind it. The icon will turn yellow, indicating that both images will be saved simultaneously.

When viewing Dual Capture photos in the Gallery, you can toggle between the Live Focus and normal versions by tapping the "NORMAL PICTURES" or "WIDE ANGLE" option below the photo. This allows you to easily switch between the two versions without having to save them as separate files. However, if you wish to edit or share the normal exposure specifically, you can save it as a new file by selecting the "Save As New File" option in the top right corner.

It is worth noting that when using Dual Capture, you cannot preview the image from the main camera while taking Live Focus photos.

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