Samsung launches A9 smartphone with four cameras

Samsung has announced its new Galaxy A9 smartphone, which the company says is the first smartphone to include four rear cameras.

The Korean company's new Galaxy A9 device is aimed at the "Instagram generation", Samsung said on Thursday, and will go on sale in the UK in November, starting at £549.

The A9 has a 24-megapixel main camera, as well as telephoto, ultra wide-angle and depth lenses designed to help with a broad range of mobile photography.

The phone will sit beneath Samsung's flagship Galaxy S9 and Note 9 phones released earlier this year as the best of its mid-range devices.

Samsung, along with rival smartphone maker Apple, has come under increased pressure from lower-priced but premium-made handsets from the likes of OnePlus, Honor and other Chinese manufacturers including Xiaomi, forcing it to create a larger range of devices that house technologies normally reserved for flagship launches.

The new phone also comes with a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone, mobile payment capabilities and expandable storage of up to 512GB - all features common on high-end smartphones.

The firm's president of mobile communications DJ Koh said the company was keen to offer the latest features to a wider range of people.

"As a global leader in smartphone innovation, we understand the demand for meaningful innovation in a fast-paced world driven by visual communication," he said.

"Building on our legacy in smartphone camera development we're introducing next-generation technology across our entire Galaxy portfolio to give more consumers the opportunity to experience cutting-edge innovation.

"We're excited to deliver on this promise and debut world-leading smartphone camera technology with the Galaxy A9."

The A9 joins Samsung's existing line-up of mid-range phones, one that includes the A7 - a device that features three rear cameras - which was unveiled last month.

Ru Bhikha, mobiles expert at uSwitch.com, said Samsung's decision to launch the A9 may be a response to the upcoming release of the year's third iPhone - the XR - and lower-than-expected sales of its S9 earlier this year.

"The manufacturer will undoubtedly also be worried about the trio of iPhone launches, which look set to win new fans in all areas of the market - having said that, an affordable but promising mid-tier showing from Samsung has the potential to upset the apple cart," he said.

"It will be interesting to see whether this left-field, but interesting, USP of a multi-lens phone helps Samsung make up for subdued sales from its flagship handset."