Introducing ISOCELL HP2: Experience More Pictures and Epic Details on the Galaxy S23 Ultra

Ultra, Reborn. To put professional-grade photography capabilities in users’ hands, Samsung continuously innovates its smartphone camera and sensor technology. The new Galaxy S23 Ultra camera is equipped with standout technology. Samsung has packed Galaxy’s biggest sensor,¹ light-absorbing pixels and diverse cutting-edge technologies into one pro-grade camera powered by ISOCELL HP2, a 200MP image sensor.

The ISOCELL HP2 image sensor helps users capture epic detail for stunning photos, even in challenging conditions. It’s the biggest sensor ever on a Galaxy device and its 200 million pixels improve image clarity while enhancing the appearance of colors in every pixel. In addition to more megapixels, the enhanced pixel structure, pixel binning technology, fast autofocus and HDR capabilities enable any user to capture phenomenal content and granular detail in a variety of situations to deliver a remarkable photography experience.

▲ ISOCELL HP2 image sensor

Epic Tales in Epic Details

The pixel count in a sensor determines how the detail within an image. As digital photos grow, more information makes more details possible.

▲ Photo size comparison by resolution

A 200MP image is 16 times bigger with 16 times more information than the 12.5MP image. This means that the image maintains its level of detail even after cropping. When zooming in on a photo for cropping, a photo typically appears blurry due to few image pixels. But this is not an issue with the Galaxy S23 Ultra. For example, even if a 200MP image is cropped in half, both vertically and horizontally, the resulting 50MP image maintains incredibly rich details. Furthermore, the ISOCELL HP2 utilizes an advanced deep learning algorithm to produce 200MP images with more accurate colors and details, made possible by the ISOCELL HP2. Whether you are zooming in on an image or cropping photos, experience clear and crisp details with the Galaxy S23 Ultra with ISOCELL HP2.

Every Pixel Tells a Story

To enhance the performance of each individual pixel of the ISOCELL HP2, Samsung enhanced the pixel structure to absorb more light than ever. The ISOCELL HP2 features a re-designed pixel structure, Dual Vertical Transfer Gate(D-VTG), which enhances the appearance of colors and details in every pixel, even in some of the brightest conditions.

Shoot at the Resolution You Need

Do you think that all pictures need to be 200 million pixels? With the versatile ISOCELL, you don’t need to worry. Specially designed with the Tetra²pixel technology, the ISOCELL HP2 within the Galaxy S23 Ultra ensures optimal quality by giving users resolutions from which to choose. It combines up to 16 individual pixels together into one, which then operates as one big pixel.

Thus, the ISOCELL HP2 sensor provides 200MP, 50MP and 12MP output options that allow the user to change resolution depending on their needs. In its default mode, the ISOCELL HP2 produces a 12MP image by merging 16 pixels into one big pixel. When you need a photo that has ultra-high quality, you can choose 200MP mode and the ISOCELL HP2 produces the image with rich details.

Nightography: Light up the Night

▲ Photo taken of the Palace of Fine Arts using Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Nightography feature

The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Nightography capabilities have improved the photography experience for users in darker environments. The Galaxy S23 Ultra features AI-enabled image signal processing technology that adjusts the saved data on the image sensor to improve the color tone and picture quality. Additionally, the ISOCELL HP2’s Tetra²pixel technology is an important enabler of the improved Nightography capability. In lower-light conditions, the ISOCELL HP2 merges neighboring pixels into one, allowing it to operate as a single 2.4um-sized pixel with 12MP for absorbing more light in a single pixel. This technology increases the light sensitivity of pixels to equip the Galaxy S23 Ultra to deliver clearer low-light photos with less noise.

Sharper Shots With Improved Autofocus

To clearly capture high-movement scenes with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the ISOCELL HP2 features Super QPD technology for faster autofocus. With Super QPD, every pixel is utilized for phase detection, compared to only 3% of pixels in its 108MP predecessor. As a result, 200 million pixels are used for focusing agents — taking auto-focusing to the next level. Each micro-lens covers four adjacent autofocus pixels, which allows the sensor to detect movement both in horizontal and vertical direction.

Capture Smooth and Vibrant Videos 

The ISOCELL HP2 helps the Galaxy S23 Ultra shoot detailed 4K and 8K videos that produce a cinematic experience. By using the ISOCELL HP2 in its 50MP mode, which combines four pixels into one big pixel with Tetra²pixel technology, the Galaxy S23 Ultra can capture 8K video with bright, clear colors and a wider angle than its predecessor.

ISOCELL HP2: Epically Equipped 

The ISOCELL HP2 image sensor equips the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s pro-grade camera with advanced technology that enables even more detail, no matter your environment. You can record every moment in high resolution — fast autofocus allows you to effortlessly capture movement in a photo, while the Tetra²pixel technology enables 8K videos with wide angle. Whether in motion or under low light or bright sun, the new image sensor delivers unrivaled photos. Experience vibrant color, clear resolution and professional photo quality in every situation.

Please visit the website for more information about the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the ISOCELL HP2.

* Samsung first announced its ISOCELL technology in 2013, which reduces color crosstalk between pixels by placing a physical barrier, allowing small-sized pixels to achieve higher color fidelity. Based on this technology, Samsung introduced the industry’s first 1.0μm-pixel image sensor in 2015 and a 0.9-pixel sensor in 2017. In June 2018, Samsung introduced an upgraded pixel isolation technology, the ISOCELL Plus. In 2020, Samsung introduced a 1.2μm-pixel image sensor, the first to offer both Dual Pixel and Tetrapixel technologies. In 2021, Samsung introduced the industry’s first 0.64-μm-pixel image sensor and continued to innovate with diverse technologies.
** All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, components, performance, availability and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.
*** All images shown are provided for illustrative purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product or images captured with the product. All images are digitally edited, modified or enhanced.
**** Samsung reserves the right to change images and specifications at any time without notice. Nonmetric weights and measurements are approximate. All data were deemed correct at time of creation. Samsung is not liable for errors or omissions.

¹ 0.6-micrometer (μm) pixels in a 1/1.3” optical format