While buying a new smartphone, one of the headline features will be the megapixel count of cameras on the device. This year, we have seen 48MP cameras on budget and mid-range smartphones like Redmi Note 7/Note 7 Pro. Qualcomm revealed back in March that smartphone cameras will reach the 100MP count in 2019. Samsung is also not falling behind and is looking to bring the latest breakthrough in mobile technology with its 64MP ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor. The company also announced an updated 48MP ISOCELL Bright GM2.
The new 64MP sensor from Samsung works on the Tetracell binding technology. It merges four pixels into one, giving 16MP images in low-light environments and remosaic algorithm for full 64MP shots in bright scenarios. Shooting in binned mode gives your much more details than in regular shots. The sensor further brings high-performance phase detection for improved autofocus and will support Full HD video recording at 480fps.
The Quad-Bayer technology will enable real-time HDR, which according to Samsung will provide rich hues. The dynamic range of convention sensor is 60 decibels and the human eye is considered to be around 120 decibels. According to Samsung, the new sensor will support up to 100 decibels. Interestingly, the 64MP sensor has the same 0.8µm pixel size as the 48MP one that makes it 33% larger overall. This makes it a 1/1.7” or 1.8” type sensor that we have seen previously in flagships like the Huawei P20 Pro or this year’s P30 and the P30 Pro.
Coming back to the 48MP, it gets a minor update over the existing GM1. The improvement will enable the sensor to utilize the collected light more efficiently in brighter environments and offer better autofocus thanks to what the company calls Super PD.
The Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 and GM2 are currently sampling. They are expected to be in mass production in the second half of 2019. The sensor might debut with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, as the South Korean electronics giant usually keep the Galaxy Note flagship launches in the second half of the year.
Via