Last updated: August 2026
The A80 had a motorised camera that slid up and rotated to face forward — so the main cameras doubled as the selfie camera. It remains one of the most unusual phones Samsung has sold, and it is a genuine cautionary tale.
Why it was clever
Two real problems solved at once: an uninterrupted screen with no notch or hole, and selfies taken with the good rear cameras rather than a weaker front one.
On paper it is an elegant answer. In practice, the industry abandoned the idea within about two years.
Why moving parts lost
| Problem | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Mechanisms wear out | A failure point no sealed phone has |
| Dust and grit get in | Reliability drops over years of use |
| Water resistance is very hard | These phones generally had no useful rating |
| Repairs are specialised | Parts scarce once production ends |
| Slower to open the camera | Missed quick shots |
Under-display and hole-punch cameras solved the same problem with no moving parts. That is why they won.
What this means if you are buying one used
Beyond the usual checks, there is a specific one here: test the mechanism repeatedly. Open and close the camera a dozen times, listen for grinding, and check it seats fully and squarely.
Also assume it has no meaningful water resistance, and that a mechanism failure will likely be uneconomical to repair — parts for a discontinued, unusual model are hard to find.
And the rest
The A80 dates from 2019 and is past its software support window. Do not finance one. If you own one and enjoy it, keep it — but move banking apps off it.
See Galaxy A73, Galaxy A71, Galaxy A70, Galaxy A55 and pre-owned contract deals.
Frequently asked questions
What was special about the A80?
A motorised rotating camera, so the rear cameras took selfies.
Why did phones stop doing this?
Moving parts wear out, admit dust and prevent water resistance.
What should I check on a used one?
Operate the mechanism repeatedly and listen for grinding.
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Support positions change. Confirm current status before buying. This is general information, not financial advice.