Will the Galaxy S23 have a 200 megapixel camera?

Samsung is introducing a new 200-megapixel image sensor with enhanced pixel technology that could come to the Galaxy S23 family, which we expect to see at the upcoming Unpacked event scheduled for February 1, 2023. The new ISOCELL HP2 contains 200 million 0.6-micrometer (μm) pixels in 1/1.3″ optical format and has a sensor size of 108 megapixels.

Samsung has also adopted the new Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technology, which adds a second voltage transfer gate within each pixel to increase its full-range performance by more than 33 percent. According to the company, this can reduce overexposure and improve color reproduction in brightly lit environments.

The HP2 can also use all of its 200 million pixels as a focusing aid, allowing for faster and more accurate autofocusing, even in dimly lit scenes, which could mean smartphones in the new Galaxy S23 series will be able to take even better photos than the series Galaxy S22 (below).

Samsung’s advanced pixel-binning technology can use the 200 million pixels in other ways as well. In low-light situations, the sensor can transform into 1.2μm 50MP or 2.4μm 12.5MP by combining 4 to 16 adjacent pixels to create larger pixels that can absorb more light. This is especially helpful when light is at a premium and can significantly reduce image noise. Pixel blending also works for videos to minimize clipping and capture more of the scene.

The 50 MP and 12.5 MP modes additionally receive HDR processing, albeit through different solutions. Samsung’s DSG function applies two separate conversion values ​​to the analog signal obtained at the pixel level in 50 MP mode, while Smart-ISO Pro in 12.5 MP mode combines different levels of ISO readings from a single exposure.

Samsung’s line of mobile sensors is a bit unpredictable. The company announced ISOCELL HP1 in September 2021, followed by ISOCELL HP3 in June 2022, but now announces ISOCELL HP2…

Samsung said the ISOCELL HP2 matrix has entered mass production, but has been silent about which phones or manufacturers will be the first to use it. The upcoming Galaxy S23 lineup seems like a good lead, but we’ll have to wait until February 1st to see if that’s really the direction Samsung has taken for its first flagships in 2023.

Source:
Own study/TechSpot