The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 could have a stylus with HIDDEN zoom

SAMSUNG has invented a smartphone stylus with a built-in camera that can take magnified photos.

The new gadget could even debut alongside the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 10 smartphone, which is expected to launch later this year.

Samsung could embed a camera in future versions of its S-Pen stylus

Credit:AP:Associated Press

Samsung is largely keeping quiet about future gadgets until it's ready to make an official announcement.

But the company's potential plans came to light after a previously secret patent was issued by the US Trademark Office.

The patent describes an "electric pen" that can be controlled using another device, such as a smartphone.

The attached images show the S-Pen stylus doubling as a camera and even offering optical zoom.

This stylus can be used to take quick selfies

Credit: EPA

The system was detailed in a patent published by the US Patent and Trademark Office

Credit: United States Patent and Trademark Office

The stylus is said to have an image sensor and optical zoom capabilities

Credit: United States Patent and Trademark Office

This would turn the S-Pen stylus into a kind of "spy camera" that you could use to take quick selfies.

However, it's unclear exactly how good a camera would be inside a thin stylus.

Samsung may need to increase the thickness of its stylus to support a camera.

Of course, it's entirely possible that Samsung will never release an S-Pen stylus with a built-in camera inside.

Companies often file patents but never follow up on the creation of their invention.

In some cases, it's because they think something is a good idea at the time, but later decide it's not worth it.

Some companies will also file patents just to prevent their competitors from creating a similar gadget.

And it's also possible that Samsung filed for this patent so that other companies could make the gadget themselves, but pay Samsung a fee to use the idea.

Samsung still provides an S-Pen stylus with its Galaxy Note smartphones

If Samsung creates an instant S-Pen stylus, it would likely only be available for the Galaxy Note series of phones.

Samsung Galaxy Note handsets come with built-in S-Pen styluses that store in a cavity in the handset.

Samsung's latest model is the Galaxy Note 9, but we expect a new Galaxy Note 10 to land around August this year.

However, Samsung hasn't confirmed such a launch, so take all rumors with a pinch of salt for now.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 could have a stylus with HIDDEN zoom