Is RED making a smartphone with 6K camera?

Famous digital camera company RED seems to be preparing something new in their line – a smartphone with a 6K camera. According to a patent filed by RED’s James Jannard and other inventors, they are developing a new and improved “multi-layer handheld electronic device.” Apparently, it will be a smartphone of unique design for more stable grip. But what’s more interesting – it could have an integrated 6K 3D camera and an ability to mount external lenses.

According to the description of the patent, it seems that the main focus is on the physical design of the phone. It’s intended to provide the users with the firmer grip and larger stability:

At least one of the right side and left side is provided with enhanced gripped surface structures comprising at least two laterally projecting extensions defining a concavity therebetween.

Enhanced grip surface structures may be provided on both the left side and right side of the body. At least two concavities may be provided on each of the left side and right side of the body.

However, what I believe most of us are more interested in are the camera capabilities.  The device should come with a camera capable of recording 6K resolution:

Preferably, the camera includes a capability for capturing still images with various and/or adjustable resolutions and aspect ratios for example but without limitation, as high as 6144×3160 pixels or higher with aspect ratios such as 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, etc, and a capability for capturing motion images at resolutions up to about “6K” or higher including for example, but without limitation, 6K (2:1, 2.4:1), 5K (Full Frame, 2:1, 2.4:1 and Anamorphic 2:1), 4.5K (2.4:1), 4K (16:9, HD, 2:1 and Anamorphic 2:1), 3K (16:9, 2:1 and Anamorphic 2:1), 2K (16:9, 2:1 and Anamorphic 2:1), 1080 p RGB (16:9), 720 p RGB (16:9) […]

Then, there’s a possibility that the device will have a dual camera and be able to capture 3D videos and stills:

[…] Alternatively, the first and second cameras 151 and 152, respectively, are arranged adjacent to each other (e.g., the distance between the first and second cameras 151 and 152, respectively, may be in the range of 1 cm. to 8 cm.), capturing 3 Dimensional (3D) still images or 3D video images.

As Definition Magazine reports, the smartphone should also have the possibility to mount external photography lenses or lens mount adapters, although – I wasn’t able to find this information in the patent description. Nevertheless, I would definitely love to see what a camera phone made by RED would look like, and what it would be capable of. And of course, I’m curious how much it would cost, too. For now, there’s only the patent application and a couple of illustrations, but who knows – we may see this smartphone in production soon.

[via Definition Magazine]