Samsung-Xiaomi collaboration brings first 108Mp image sensor to phones

As the smartphone industry has advanced rapidly, camera resolution and quality is considered among the prime distinguishable factors which affect consumer preference and brand perception. Evidently, this has resulted in chipmakers and smartphone developers engaging in a new “megapixel” race.

With the intention to reinforce its stance in the smartphone market, Samsung Electronics in partnership with Xiaomi Corp. has unveiled a new image sensor for mobile phones that can pack more than 100 million pixels and provide more in-depth details and unrivaled color reproduction.

The South Korean tech giant has recently introduced the 108Mp Samsung ISOCELL Bright HMX image sensor, for offering a resolution equivalent to that of a high-end DSLR camera.

The brand confirmed it has extended its 0.8μm image sensor portfolio with the latest ultra-high 64Mp to 108Mp products. ISOCELL Bright HMX is the first ever mobile image sensor to sport over 100 million pixels.

Samsung claims that the ISOCELL Bright HMX effectively enable highly sharp photographs with rich details and can capture excellent pictures even in extreme lighting conditions. The brand also mentioned that being the first mobile image sensor to make use of a large 1/1.33-inch size, the HMX has the potential to absorb more light in low-light settings compared to smaller sensors.

Apparently, its pixel merging Tetracell technology enables the device to produce brighter 27Mp images. The sensor adopts the Smart-ISO mechanism which intelligently selects amplifier gain levels according to illumination of the environment for optimal light-to-electric signal conversion to produce vivid pictures.

The HMX also supports video recording at a rate of 30 frames per second (fps) at resolutions up to 6K without field of view losses.

Xiaomi co-founder and president Lin Bin was quoted saying that the two companies have worked closely for the development of ISOCELL Bright HMX right from the early conceptual stage to production to create a groundbreaking 108Mp image sensor with DSLR-like picture capturing capabilities.

Samsung and Xiaomi will further collaborate to bring new mobile camera experiences along with a platform through which users can create unique content, Bin added.

Samsung had previously introduced the 64Mp ISOCELL Bright GW1 in May 2019, designed to capture sharp and bright pictures in any light setting using Tetracell and 3D HDR technology.

 

Source credit: https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-takes-mobile-photography-to-the-next-level-with-industrys-first-108mp-image-sensor-for-smartphones