After long rumors, Samsung has finally announced a 200 MP sensor for camera phones. This is the largest resolution available in a camera sensor for a mobile phone today and a first in the industry.
The sensor, named ISOCELL HP1, has a pixel size of 0.64μm. In bright lighting conditions, this sensor can be used to take 200 MP photos.
In low light conditions, this sensor will utilize a pixel-binning technology called ChameleonCell. This technology allows the sensor to combine four or 16 pixels into one large pixel.
These two configurations can turn the ISOCELL HP1 into a 50 MP sensor with 1.28μm pixels, or a 12.5 MP sensor with 2.56μm pixels. Samsung says this 12.5 MP configuration can improve light absorption and sensitivity which improves shooting in low light conditions, as quoted from Android Authority, Thursday (2/9/2021).
The 50 MP mode also allows the HP1 ISOCELL sensor to record 8K quality video. Samsung says this sensor can shoot 8K/30fps video without cropping.
In addition to the ISOCELL HP1, Samsung also showcased the latest sensor in the GN line, the ISOCELL GN5. This new sensor doesn't come with more megapixels, but instead focus brings an increase in autofocus.
Samsung says the ISOCELL GN5 can bring faster autofocus performance thanks to the use of more photodiodes. This sensor carries 1.0μm pixels, smaller than the 1.4μm pixels used in the ISOCELL GN2.
It is not yet known when the ISOCELL HP1 and GN5 sensors will begin mass production and come to commercial phones. Samsung itself has shipped samples of these two sensors to mobile phone vendors.
Rumors previously circulated that Xiaomi would be the first vendor to launch a phone with a 200 MP camera in 2022. Samsung is also rumored to be using a 200 MP sensor for the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which will be launched early next year.