Samsung’s smartphones are known for producing great images, for all that they’re using nothing but 12MP cameras (technically). But it’s a fair bet that Samsung’s new flagships are going to default to 16MP — thanks to a new 64MP ISOCELL image sensor the company revealed this morning.

And that’s because the new 64-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor is going to be used to capture slightly smaller images than the name would suggest. The crown jewel of Samsung’s 0.8μm-pixel sensor lineup (there’s a new 48MP version incoming as well) uses Samsung’s own Tetracell tech, as well as something it calls a remosaic algorithm, to capture fairly bright shots in low-light conditions. It does this by combining four pixels into one, allowing for more light in a single 16MP image.

The ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor will also permit 64MP images — but you’re going to require basically ideal lighting for those to look as good as the ‘smaller’ shots.

Samsung’s packing in support for real-time HDR (high dynamic range), as well as a feature called Dual Conversion Gain (DCG). This “…allows the sensor to optimize its full well capacity (FWC), utilizing the collected light more efficiently especially in bright environments.” Also incoming? Something Samsung calls Super PD (or Super Phase Detection), which allows for improved autofocus. Also: 480fps video recording in HD. Because why the heck not?

Going smaller

Samsung’s also working on an ISOCELL Bright GM2 sensor, which is the updated-for-2019 48MP sensor. The smaller sensor will nonetheless be incorporating Samsung’s newest bits, like Tetracell, remosiac, DCG, and Super PD. Just in a smaller… package, we guess. It’s likely that we’ll encounter the 48MP sensor in Samsung’s less-than-premium-but-still-bloody-good handsets. The 64MP version should be doing duty in the company’s headliners.

Samsung’s newest image sensors are expected to go into mass production a little later this year. We’re expecting our first look at the 64MP ISOCELL sensor in Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10. Not because Samsung has said anything, just because it makes sense. It would just be silly for the South Korean company to pass the chance to show off up. High-end 16MP pictures for everyone! Right?

Source: Samsung Newsroom