A smartphone camera lens physically moves forward or backward to focus on objects at different distances.
NOT BSTOTAL BS
HARDLY BS — Verdict: Mostly True
Verified by Lenz ·
The Short Version
The core explanation is correct: most autofocus smartphone cameras focus by moving a lens element or lens group slightly forward or backward. The statement is too broad, though, because some phone cameras are fixed-focus and some newer designs can change focus without the same mechanical movement. The practical takeaway remains accurate for most modern autofocus phone cameras.
Caveats
Some smartphone cameras, especially certain front-facing or lower-cost modules, are fixed-focus and do not move to focus.
In many designs, an internal lens group moves by a tiny distance; the whole camera module does not visibly extend like a large interchangeable lens.
Emerging autofocus systems such as liquid lenses can change focus without the same forward/backward mechanical lens translation.