The Galaxy Z Flip 2 could be an attractive alternative to the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 and receive a long-awaited camera upgrade that would better justify the flip phone's high price.

The sources are two patents that LetsGoDigital found at EUIPO, the first with the camera positioned horizontally like the current Galaxy Z Flip and the second with the camera positioned vertically like Samsung's other smartphones. The built-in camera remains in the center punch hole.

Adding an additional camera to the right of the two existing cameras makes sense in terms of evolving the existing design, but it also means that the outer "cover screen" will be even smaller than it is now. A portrait version would allow more space for the external display to expand, allowing more useful information to be displayed while the Galaxy Z Flip is closed.

Since the current Galaxy Z Flip already has a 12MP main lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens, this third camera is expected to be a telephoto lens; if the Galaxy S20 Ultra's 48MP 10x hybrid zoom system is included great, but it could be the 64MP sensor with 3x optical zoom used in the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Plus.

Assuming Samsung sticks to a similar schedule next year as this year, we will probably see a new Z flip in February 2021, followed by the Galaxy S30. In the meantime, the Galaxy Fold 2 and Galaxy Note 20 are expected to be announced around August of this year.