Smartphones use tiny sensors like the accelerometer and gyroscope to know when you're taking a picture. These sensors feel the motion of your hand, and once they detect that you’re holding the phone still, or moving it in a way that looks like you're trying to take a photo, they tell the camera to focus and snap.
Examples
- Your phone knows you're taking a photo because it feels your hand stop or move up like you’re holding it in front of your face.
- When you shake your phone, the sensors detect the motion and know you might be trying to take a selfie.
- Even when you press the screen to take a picture, the sensors help it focus better.
Ask a question
See also
- Why Do Smartphones Feel Like They're Always Running Out of Battery?
- How Do Smartphones Know When to Vibrate?
- Why Do Smartphones Feel So Warm When You're Using Them?
- Why Do Smartphones Use So Much Battery?
- Why Do Smartphones Heat Up So Much?