Samsung has been leading the industry by introducing hardware (HW) and software (SW) that break the existing mold every year for the past 12 years since the unveiling of the first Galaxy S device in 2010. Some of the most game-changing so far include a large-screen smartphone with excellent immersion; a smartphone-stylus combination that enhanced productivity and creativity; and the world’s first dual-pixel camera technology. In addition, the Galaxy Note series, Galaxy tablet series and various wearable devices including Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds have contributed to the wider Galaxy ecosystem that has so transformed user’s lifestyles.

Ahead of the Galaxy Unpacked event set for February 10, Samsung Newsroom is providing a look back at the technological legacy of the Galaxy series. Read on to learn more about the 10 innovative Galaxy smartphone technologies that have set new standards and transformed the way we live our lives.

#1. 2010
The AMOLED Display: Bigger Is Better

One of the major benefits of a smartphone is that it allows users to enjoy content on a large screen with clear picture quality that sits right in the palm of their hand. Samsung kicked off the trend of the large screen era in the smartphone industry with the introduction of their AMOLED display. This display, developed using Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) technology, is characterized by its clear picture quality, self-luminescence and larger screen size.

The Samsung Galaxy S was the world’s first smartphone to be launched with a Super AMOLED display, an ultra-thin screen that consumes less power and provides crisper and more vivid picture quality. With the introduction of the Galaxy S in 2010, users’ interest became piqued in obtaining bigger screens — such as the 4- to 5-inch screens of the AMOLED display compared to the conventional 3-inches on other phones — on which to fully immerse themselves in their favorite content.

Samsung has continued to take its AMOLED technology to the next level by unveiling devices with more powerful and more advanced screens, such as the Galaxy S10, the world’s first mobile device with a High Dynamic Range10+ (HDR10+) supported Dynamic AMOLED display, and the Galaxy S21 series, which features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with an automatic refresh rate of up to 120Hz based on the content type. Samsung’s innovative technology has enabled silky-smooth scrolling and uninterrupted viewing experiences, even on larger screens.

#2. 2011
The Galaxy Note and S Pen: Adding Analog Touch to Digital Devices

As of 2011, it became no longer necessary to keep notebooks and writing instruments in our bags at all times. With the introduction of the Galaxy Note equipped with S Pen, it is now possible to save and share everything from memos to drawings right on our smartphone’s screen. At that time, the Galaxy Note was launched with an S Pen that supported 256 levels of pressure onto the device’s large screen. Since then, both the Note and the S Pen have become inseparable, and as the series has developed, both have evolved significantly.

For example, Samsung introduced Air Command for the Galaxy Note 3 to give users easy access to signature S Pen features when hovering their S Pen over the screen. The company also then incorporated Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology into the Galaxy Note 9 S Pen so that its stylus pen could also function as a remote control. For the Galaxy Note 10, the addition of Air Action features enabled users to remotely control their device when switching camera modes or zooming in or out, a marked change from previous models which only permitted users to take photos from a distance. In line with this innovative spirit, Samsung introduced the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered S Pen for the Galaxy Note 20 in order to provide users with a more delicate and sophisticated drawing experience, and as of last year, the innovative S Pen is now available on devices such as the Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy Z Fold3 to expand its compatibility.

#3. 2013
Samsung Knox: Your Trusted Mobile Bodyguard

We are now living in the era where most of our daily tasks and experiences can be undertaken all with a singular smartphone, meaning that the importance of security cannot be overemphasized. Samsung Knox has become a reliable shield for users concerned about information leakage or virus penetration.

Samsung Knox, installed on Galaxy devices since the Galaxy Note 3 in 2013, protects devices on a step-by-step basis from the chipset to the operating system (OS) and application level, while also blocking hacking and unauthorized access. In addition, thanks to its encrypted container space, a user’s personal and business data can be separated and managed safely.

In 2021, the company launched Samsung Knox Vault with the Galaxy S21 in order to thoroughly ensure the protection of ever-growing amounts of data. In addition to offering the industry’s highest level of security chipset (eSE, or embedded Secure Element) and a secure processor that prevents HW-level attacks, Samsung Knox Vault features a tamper-resistant security memory to protect a user’s various passwords and biometric information.

#4. 2014
Superb IP Rating: Ultimate Protection From Dust and Water

In the early 2010s, if you accidentally dropped your smartphone while using it in water, nothing but despair awaited you. To mitigate this, Samsung expanded the horizon of smartphone experiences by applying waterproof and dustproof functions to the Galaxy S5 for the first time in 2014.

From the Galaxy S7 in 2017 onwards, IP68,¹ the highest waterproof and dustproof rating, has been applied to Galaxy devices in order to strengthen their performance. The IP68 rating is given to devices after testing in fresh water at a depth of 1.5m for 30 minutes. Galaxy users are now able to use their smartphones with peace of mind thanks to strong waterproof and dustproof technologies.

#5. 2015
Samsung Pay: A Mobile Wallet in Your Pocket

It is no exaggeration to say that, after 2015, the trend of going ‘wallet-less’ saw a surge in increase. At this time, Samsung introduced Samsung Pay, a mobile payment service that replaces the cash and credit cards in a user’s wallet. Since this service was first introduced on the Galaxy S6 in 2015, it has established itself as a core representational service of the Galaxy smartphone.

When using public transportation, as well as when out shopping, users need just touch their smartphone instead of having to get out their wallet to pay. These days, leaving the house without a wallet has become a normal habit.

#6. 2016
Advanced Camera Technology: The World’s First Dual Pixel Sensor

Smartphone camera technologies are advancing day by day, to the extent at which if you have a smartphone, you’re able to capture pictures and videos comparable to that of professionals.

In 2016, Samsung raised the smartphone camera function to a new level by installing the industry’s first dual pixel in the Galaxy S7. At that time, the dual pixel was an image sensor only seen in high-end digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. By increasing the amount of light received by both the front and rear cameras, the Galaxy S7 was able to focus quickly and accurately, as well as take optimal photos in dark environments.

Samsung then combined an Ultra-Wide angle lens and intelligent SW in the Galaxy S10 to help users take even sharper pictures. The Galaxy S20 features a remarkable four quad cameras, raising the level of camera functionality once again. In particular, the optical zoom performance has been greatly improved; Galaxy S20 Ultra users can harness the Space Zoom function to zoom in up to 100 times, allowing them to take clear pictures of the night sky.

#7. 2018
One UI: Making My Own Galaxy

One UI is an interface that supports the unique user experience of Samsung Galaxy, and was first introduced in November 2018.

By dividing the viewing area and the touching area, the layout of One UI allows users to comfortably perform all operations with just one hand, and all necessary essential functions are included concisely on-screen so that everyone and anyone is able to use it easily. One UI is also characterized by a unified user experience as it has been applied consistently to devices across the Galaxy ecosystem, including smartphones, tablets and wearables.

One UI 4, updated last year, harnesses a completely different color palette with which to decorate a device’s home screen, icons, notifications and wallpapers in your own style. In addition, One UI 4 features strengthened security features, such as allowing users to easily select what to share and what to keep private in order to keep up with users who increasingly value their individuality and their privacy.

#8. 2019
Galaxy Z Series: The Dawn of the Era of Foldable Smartphones

In 2019, Samsung pioneered the field of foldable smartphones by unveiling the world’s first Galaxy Z Fold, equipped with a 7.3-inch Infinity Flex Display.

Samsung’s newly developed hinge technology makes it possible to open and close the smartphone as smoothly as one opens a book, and offers users secure, long-lasting flexibility that passed a test to withstand 200,000 folds. In 2020, the company’s foldable lineup was expanding to include the Galaxy Z Flip, which features a compact design as the screen unfolds vertically.

Samsung not only pioneered a new form factor, but also new usability options through such functions as Flex mode, which allows for more usage scenarios by fixing the hinge at a specific angle, and Multi-Active Window, which can open and run apps at the same time with applications optimized for the foldable screen for a split screen view.

Last year, Samsung expanded their foldable lineup with the Galaxy Z Fold3, which saw the inclusion of an S Pen and waterproof and dustproof technology, and the colorful, pastel-toned Galaxy Z Flip3 Bespoke Edition, leading the era of foldable popularization.

#9. 2021
An AI-Powered Eraser: Removing Unwanted Objects From Photos

As part of Samsung’s mission to expand the application of innovative AI technologies to all smartphones, the company introduced the Object Eraser feature that lets you remove any unwanted objects in your photos with just a touch.

The Object Eraser function, first introduced in the Galaxy S21 in 2021, is a photo editing tool that harnesses artificial intelligence. Simply by touching the object you want to remove from a photo and tapping the ‘object erase’ button, the object is deleted without the need for a separate editing program. Currently, this function is available on smartphones with One UI 3.1 or higher, such as the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Fold3.

Samsung first applied its AI-powered interface, Bixby, to the Galaxy S8 in 2017, and now users can control their major Galaxy devices using only their voice. In addition, Samsung has been incorporating AI technologies into its device OS, battery and camera in order to improve performance and convenience.

#10. 2021
Galaxy for the Planet: For a Sustainable Future

Samsung is fully committed to minimizing the environmental impact of its products throughout the entire lifecycle of its smartphones, from the design to the production stage through to their usage and disposal, in order to ensure that Galaxy smartphones contribute to greater environmental sustainability. Under the sustainability vision of its Mobile eXperience (MX) Business, “Galaxy for the Planet,” Samsung is consistently working to achieve a circular economy by reusing and recycling resources in order to build a better Galaxy ecosystem.

One such effort towards sustainability is a reduction of plastic usage in smartphone packaging. The percentage of plastics used in the Galaxy S21 packaging accounts for a mere 4 percent of the total weight, cutting down the waste generated per packaging unit by 49 percent as compared with that of the Galaxy S7. In addition, the Galaxy S21 packaging contains only 58 percent of the paper used in that of the Galaxy S7, helping save some 44,802 trees a year. Samsung plans to exclude plastic materials in its product packaging and apply recycled materials to all of its products in the MX division by 2025.

The products set to be unveiled at Galaxy Unpacked 2022 are drawing attention thanks to the revelation that they have been designed using eco-conscious materials recycled from marine waste. Samsung has succeeded in transforming discarded fishing nets, a major contributor to marine pollution, into a material with which to produce smart devices, and the company plans to apply this material to all its products in the future.

¹ IP (Degree of Ingress Protection, IP Code) is a product-related protection technology standard established by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and is applied to various IT products and industrial devices. IP68 is the highest rating for dust and water resistance. Ip68 has a waterproof function that can withstand 1.5m of clear water for 30 minutes, but it is recommended that the device be washed off immediately after contact with water and then dried.

Samsung’s latest image sensor, the ISOCELL GN1, is a powerful 50-megapixel sensor with 1.2μm pixels. As Samsung’s first image sensor to feature both Tetrapixel* and Dual Pixel technologies, the ISOCELL GN1 has been designed to help users take near-professional grade quality images in any environment with ultra-fast autofocusing comparable to that of DSLR cameras.

The video below introduces how the ISOCELL GN1 takes smartphone photography to the next level with its rapid autofocus, high-resolution detailing, and vivid colors capture – even in low-light conditions.

Staying in Focus

The speed at which a camera can focus on its subject can hugely influence a user’s photo-taking experience. Whether the subject is a furry friend up close or a group shot of a family, fast autofocus can help ensure you never miss a precious moment. In order to provide users with an ultra-fast autofocus experience, the ISOCELL GN1 leverage Dual Pixel technology with 100 million phase detection focus units.

Each pixel on the ISOCELL GN1 consists of two photodiodes, which receive light rays from sides of the micro-lens on top of the pixel. The phase detection autofocus process then creates two ‘copies’ of the image from incoming light, one on each photodiode, which are assessed by the sensor just as human eyes work. The lens elements then adjust until the two images are identical, indicating that the object is in perfect focus in the camera’s view.

Phase detection autofocus is much faster than conventional contrast detection systems which analyze the contrast between edges and move the focus motor until this contrast is at its sharpest. However, the speed of the phase detection autofocus process is dependent on how may phase detection pixels the sensor contains. Many smartphone sensors only feature phase detection-enabled pixels at a capacity of 5-10% of the total pixels – but this is not the case for the ISOCELL GN1. With its Dual Pixel technology, the ISOCELL GN1 embeds two photodiodes in every single pixel, resulting in a faster, more accurate autofocus experience.

Bigger Pixels for Crystal Clear Photos

Pixels capture light and turn it into data. They come in a range of different sizes, which in turn will affect the resolution of an image sensor. Sensors with smaller allow for ultra-high-resolution images with tack-sharp details, while bigger pixels will receive more light and result in improved light sensitivity for shots taken in low-light conditions.

To allow manufactures and consumers a wider choice of pixel sizes – from big to microfine – Samsung has developed a variety of cutting-edge technologies to enhance both detailing and light sensitivity to match any need. The ISOCELL GN1 boasts 1.2μm pixels, almost twice as large as the 0.8μm small pixels featured on other high-resolution sensors, so that users can capture stunning, high-quality photos, even at nighttime.

The sensor also features ISOCELL Plus, Samsung’s innovative pixel isolation technology which uses a physical barrier to isolate pixels, allowing more light to be gathered by the micro-lens and then absorbed by the pixel’s photodiodes. The result is higher color fidelity and improved light sensitivity so users can enjoy bright, color-accurate images in every photo they take.

Higher Resolution for Finer Detailing

The ISOCELL GN1 delivers 50MP resolution at 8,160 pixels by 6,144 pixels thanks to its 1/1.31” sensor size as compared to the 1/2” sensor size 48MP resolution of conventional sensors with smaller 0.8μm pixels. Thanks to its Dual Pixel technology and software algorithms, photos taken with the ISOCELL GN1 can achieve comparable image resolutions of up to 100MP.

The ISOCELL GN1’s 50MP resolution means that the ISOCELL GN1 is able to capture fine details and gives users the power to crop their images without any dramatic loss in image quality. It also gives users the option of downsizing their images in post-processing to further reduce the amount of noise for even more stunning images.

High Quality Photos in Any Lighting Condition

Have you ever taken a photo at night only for it to turn out too dark and blurry or overly grainy? Shooting in low light presents the user with a number of technical hurdles, but thanks to the inclusion of Samsung’s Tetrapixel technology, the ISOCELL GN1 is capable of capturing crystal clear photos in any lighting condition.

Unlike conventional RGB sensors, where pixels with different color filters are arranged in a mosaic pattern, Samsung’s Tetrapixel sensors arrange pixels with the same color filter right next to each other in groups of four. When shooting in low-light conditions, the sensor can treat those groups of four pixels as one big pixel, meaning that more light is let into the sensor for images that are brighter and feature less noise. Given that the ISOCELL GN1 features larger pixels than other sensors, the addition of Tetrapixel provides an even greater image quality boost for shooting in low-light conditions, while in bright lighting conditions the sensor uses a re-mosaic algorithm to rearrange the pixels into a conventional RGB pattern for higher-resolution images.

Multiple Exposure Time for More Vivid Photos

In mixed lighting conditions, such as with a low-lit subject against a bright background, it can be difficult for photographers to get the right dynamic range so that both light and dark areas of the image get proper exposure. Conventional HDR technology used to solve this problem by taking multiple images and stacking them together in post-processing to get wider dynamic range in the final image. This same principle underlies the Real-time HDR of the ISOCELL GN1.

Rather than taking sequential photos and stacking them together, the ISOCELL GN1 leverages Tetrapixel technology to deliver better colors and improved detail in shadows, mid-tones, and highlights.

Each pixel in a group of four takes the picture at different exposure times: two pixels take medium exposures, one takes a long exposure, and one takes a short exposure. This allows the sensor to capture light from the scene in front of it with greater precision. The ISOCELL GN1 combines the information from these three exposure levels to produce an HDR image in a single shot in which the user is able to preview immediately.

Letting in Just the Right Amount of Light

Native ISO determines how sensitive an image sensor is to light and is determined by the conversion gain value. This value affects the full well capacity, or how much light the photodiodes can receive, and the noise level. Incorporating a fixed, native ISO into an image sensor limits its ability to adapt to changing light environments.

Traditional image sensors often came with a single, high native ISO. While this is helpful in reducing noise in low light environments, a smaller full well capacity makes these sensors less capable of showcasing highlight areas in bright environments.

The ISOCELL GN1 features an additional low native ISO able to accurately respond to bright environments, and its Smart-ISO technology selects the ideal conversion gain value for each lighting situation. The result is optimal dynamic range and reduced noise across all kinds of shooting conditions.

While shooting portraits at the beach on a sunny day, for example, it will choose the low native ISO to increase full well capacity and extending the dynamic range for bright sections of the scene. If the camera were using a high native ISO in these situations, the signal would be over-amplified, blowing out the bright sections and leaving little to no detail in those areas of the image.

Conversely, when taking selfies with friends at a late-night party, Smart-ISO technology will choose the higher native ISO to produce optimal brightness with less noise and capture more dynamic range in dark sections of the scene, bringing out every detail even in the shadowy areas of your image.

Pro-Grade Photography in the Palm of Your Hand

The ISOCELL GN1 packs a lot of technology into a small sensor. As Samsung’s first image sensor to feature both Dual Pixel and Tetrapixel technology, it equips your smartphone camera with the power to adapt to any environment so that you can capture great photos no matter what lighting condition you are in. With this versatility, you can enjoy a full suite of pro-grade photography tools right from your smartphone.

Please visit ISOCELL’s Twitter and Instagram to learn more.

* Technological term of “Tetrapixel” was updated in July 2022.

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced Samsung ISOCELL GN1, a new 50-megapixel (Mp) image sensor with large 1.2μm-sized pixels. The ISOCELL GN1 is Samsung’s first image sensor to offer both Dual Pixel and Tetrapixel* technologies. Thanks to the relatively larger pixel size, the GN1 brings image sensor performance to a new level with a combination of elevated light sensitivity for stellar low-light photos and DSLR-level auto-focus speeds, optimized for more dynamic picture-taking experiences.

“With innovative pixel technologies, Samsung has been at the forefront of offering high-performance image sensors that closely cater to increasingly diversifying market needs. The ISOCELL GN1 is part of that commitment to deliver stunning images to consumers in any environment,” said Yongin Park, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to introduce image sensor solutions at the cutting-edge that will lead the next trends in mobile photography.”

Creating desirable images is an indispensable element for today’s smartphone users who are well accustomed to visually grasping and cherishing special moments, wherever they are. To address various imaging preferences of the users, some smartphone makers put more emphasis on extremely detailed images with ultra-high resolutions, while some choose bigger pixels for bright results in low-light environments. The new Samsung ISOCELL GN1 fulfills these multiple needs at once with Dual Pixel and Tetrapixel technologies.

The GN1 brings best-in-class auto-focusing with 100 million phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) agents. Samsung’s Dual Pixel technology places two photodiodes side-by-side within a single pixel that can receive light from different angles for phase detection. With all of the sensor’s active pixels working as auto-focusing agents, the GN1 can detect and focus onto a desired still or moving object from every corner in an instant, even in low-light conditions. When capturing images, a single pixel output is created by merging the outputs from the two photodiodes within the pixel. Samsung also provides a software algorithm that takes light information from each photodiode to produce image resolutions comparable to 100Mp.

For ultimate low-light photography, the GN1 adopts Tetrapixel technology, a pixel-merging technique that improves the pixels’ capacity to capture and process more light. By binning four pixel signals into one, Tetrapixel doubles the image sensor’s pixel size to 2.4μm and quadruples the light sensitivity to take brighter 12.5Mp photographs. With improved light sensitivity combined with a powerful auto-focusing solution, the GN1 is able to focus on an object quickly even in extreme low-light environment to deliver both brighter and sharper results.

In addition to Dual Pixel and Tetrapixel technologies, the GN1 comes with Smart-ISO that intelligently selects the optimal ISO, real-time HDR that captures the scene in multiple exposures simultaneously, and gyro-based electronic image stabilization (EIS) that takes sharp images and video even when in motion. For premium video quality, the image sensor supports video recording at up to 8K resolution at 30 frames-per-second (fps).

Samsung ISOCELL GN1 started mass production this month.

* Technological term of “Tetrapixel” was updated in July 2022.

MWCS is Asia’s leading tech industry event, taking place this year at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from June 27 – 29. This year over 100 countries are represented, with 550 companies attending. As the scale of MWCS is continually expanding, the event provides the perfect platform for Samsung to showcase its latest groundbreaking semiconductor technologies.

Attendees explore the Samsung Electronics experience zone at MWCS 2018

A Samsung promoter introduces the ISOCELL range to a large crowd of interested MWCS attendees

S.LSI has been participating in MWCS since last year, recognizing the growing importance of the Chinese presence in the global technology market.  Highlighted at MWCS this year are S.LSI’s ISOCELL, Exynos, NFC and smart speaker ranges, with a variety of solutions – including the new ‘ISOCELL Plus’ – on show for customers from all around the world including China.

The Samsung Electronics Exhibition Hall, filled with numerous local and global visitors

ISOCELL

The Samsung Electronics S.LSI ISOCELL booth at MWCS 2018. The ISOCELL products on display showcase the latest in high resolution photography solution

The ISOCELL series, first launched at MWCS 2017, is named after the patented Samsung ISOCELL technology which offers solutions for devices that require ultra-slim designs with high quality cameras.

Visitors learn more about the image quality comparison (1.12um 13Mp vs 1.0um 16Mp) of the ISOCELL Slim 3P9 at the Samsung Electronics booth

Among the cutting-edge developments to the ISOCELL series presented at MWCS is the ISOCELL Slim 3P9 with Plug and Play solution for rear camera modules. The Plug and Play solution simplifies the camera module development and optimization process by providing a turnkey module, made up of an ISOCELL sensor and other primary elements from preferred partners, pre-tuned for VCX-standard image quality. Manufacturers can simply plug the module into a device, saving up to four months of development time.

The ISOCELL Plus, a new pixel isolation technology from Samsung, replaces the metal grid formed over the photodiodes with an innovative new material minimizing optical loss and light reflection. The ISOCELL Bright, harnessing Tetrapixel* technology, merges four pixels into one so that users can achieve high quality images in all light conditions. The ISOCELL Fast utilizes Dual Pixel technology for faster, more accurate auto focus – even in low light conditions.

Exynos

The Exynos series, the system-on-a-chip processors featured in Samsung’s own line of mobile devices, presents the latest in performance, efficiency and connectivity options.

Visitors watch a demonstration of the Exynos 7 Series 9610 and its object detection capabilities at the Samsung Electronics booth

The Exynos Series 7 9610 is a S.LSI’s high-end application processor that was introduced earlier this year, with enhanced image processing capabilities to support DSLR-like camera functions with AI-powered image processing. It is also the industry’s first SoC to offer 480fps filming for super slow-motion videos. Thanks to its patented vision-image processing DSP(digital signal processor), users can harness its object detection feature for various AI-powered applications, picture gallery classification and device security.

A Samsung smartphone is used to model the Exynos 7 Series 9610 at the Samsung Electronics booth. The Exynos 7 Series 9610 includes a special DSP, vision-image processor, for object identification of 20 kinds of objects at up to 30fps

The Exynos Series 7 9610 is the first mobile SoC to offer 480fps filming for super slow-motion videos. The only limit to how long a user can record for, at FHD resolution, is the device’s storage capacity

Also introduced this year, the Exynos 9810 is a premium processor, with Samsung’s 3^rd-generation CPU core for enhanced AI and multimedia capabilities. The Exynos 7885 is a high-mid tier processor launched at the end of 2017, and the 7872 is the first to adopt a big CPU core in the volume-zone segment. Offering optimized performance and improved power efficiency, the Exynos processors provide for an incredible user experience.

Samsung promoters showcase the Galaxy S9+, powered by Exynos 9 9810 solution, to an attendee

NFC & Smart Speaker: The Latest in Contactless and Smart Home Technology

Visitors to MWCS can observe applied demonstrations of SLI’s new semiconductor technology; flagship Samsung mobile devices here showcase the NFC contactless power transfer (left) and NFC contactless POS payments technologies (right)

NFC Mobile POS and NFC Power Transfer exhibits the latest in contactless technology. With the Mobile POS, a mobile device can be used to replace a POS reader for virtual payments, and with the Power Transfer, a mobile phone can transfer power to mobile accessories utilizing NFC RF radiation.

The AKI range is a collection of children’s watches powered by Samsung’s Exynos Dual 7270 and NFC technologies

The smart speaker reference platform stand, part of the Samsung experience zone, waits ready for MWCS visitors to experiment with its features – including voice & face recognition as well as personal assistant capabilities

The smart speaker is a great personal assistant for answering questions, playing your favorite music and controlling connected home devices. Based on various Samsung ICs, including Exynos AP, RF, PMIC, image sensor and secure element. Samsung’s smart speaker reference platform helps manufacturers reduced development time and a faster time-to-market.

* Technological term of “Tetrapixel” was updated in July 2022

“Samsung’s ISOCELL image sensors have made great leaps over the generations, with technologies such as ISOCELL for high color fidelity and Dual Pixel for ultra-fast autofocusing, bringing the smartphone camera ever closer to DSLR-grade photography,” said Ben K. Hur, vice president of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics. “With an added DRAM layer, Samsung’s new 3-stack ISOCELL Fast 2L3 will enable users to create more unique and mesmerizing content.”

Conventional image sensors are constructed with two silicon layers; a pixel array layer that converts light information into an electric signal, and an analog logic layer that processes the electric signal into digital code. The digital code is then sent via MIPI interface to the device’s mobile processor for further image tuning before being saved to the device’s DRAM. While all these steps are done instantaneously to implement features like zero-shutter lag, capturing smooth super-slow-motion video requires image readouts at a much higher rate.

Delivering an advanced solution, the Samsung ISOCELL Fast 2L3 is a high speed 3-stack CMOS image sensor designed with the company’s two-gigabit (Gb) LPDDR4 DRAM attached below the analog logic layer. With the integration, the image sensor can temporarily store a larger number of frames taken in high speed quickly onto the sensor’s DRAM layer before sending frames out to the mobile processor and then to the device’s DRAM. This not only allows the sensor to capture a full-frame snapshot at 1/120 of a second but also to record super-slow motion video at up to 960 frames per second (fps). With 960fps recording, which is 32 times the typical filming speed (30fps), recording moments such as a child hitting his or her first game-winning homerun, a baby taking his or her first step, or a friend doing a gazelle flip on a skateboard becomes much more dramatic.

In addition to super slow motion video, fast readout can hugely enhance the photography experience. Since the sensor captures an image at very high speeds, it significantly reduces the ‘jello-effect,’ or image distortion, when taking a picture of fast-moving objects, for example helicopter rotor blades. By storing multiple frames in the split of a second, the sensor can support 3-Dimensional Noise Reduction (3DNR) for clearer pictures when shooting in low-light, as well as real time high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging, and detect even the slightest hint of movement for automatic instant slow-motion recording.

The image sensor is also equipped with Dual Pixel technology, which allows each and every one of the 12-million pixels of the image sensor to employ two photodiodes that respectively work as a phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) agent. With ultra-fast auto-focus in any lighting condition, it will be harder to miss capturing important moments before they pass by.

The Samsung ISOCELL Fast 2L3 is currently in mass production.

Superior Images, No Matter the Conditions

Lighting and subject movement are two factors that greatly influence the outcome of a photograph. But in the real world, these conditions are not always ideal for taking pictures. The Galaxy S8, however, is embedded with sophisticated multi-frame image processing to ensure bright and clear photographs in nearly every environment.

With this technology, the camera takes three photos – instead of just one – then selects the clearest image and uses the other two to reduce the blur. By imposing the three images on top of one another, the resulting photograph is highly detailed with clearer contours. This even applies to images captured in less-than-ideal conditions, such as when zoomed-in in low light. Furthermore, the camera can capture and process the image so quickly that users cannot tell the difference between it and conventional smartphone cameras.

The phone’s 12MP F1.7 autofocus rear camera utilizes the same great Dual Pixel image sensor that was first introduced to the smartphone market with the Samsung Galaxy S7. With Dual Pixel technology, every single pixel enables precise and fast focusing, much in the same way that the human eye does. By splitting all of the camera’s pixels into two photodiodes for on-chip phase detection, the technology enables vastly improved autofocus performance, even in low light.

The 8MP F1.7 smart autofocus front camera has also been improved from the 5MP F1.7 front camera of the Galaxy S7. Until now, the front camera, which is most often used for taking selfies, was programmed to provide a fixed focus based on the average arm length of users. However, that distance has expanded with the proliferation of the selfie stick and other accessories.

Therefore, the Galaxy S8’s front camera has been equipped with autofocus features and facial recognition technology so it can better recognize and track faces, even when the distance between the camera and the subjects in the photo is increased. The result is superior selfie quality with a clearer, more detailed picture.

Filters and Stickers for Added Fun

As smartphone camera use has become more widespread, so too has the popularity of camera apps that let users apply various effects to add a bit of fun to their photographs. The Galaxy S8 gives users the option to use photo filters, stickers and stamps in the same way as these popular apps.

With a simple, convenient filter setting, users can let their creativity run wild by choosing from a collection of 16 filters, including eight beauty filters. Or, they can let the camera do the work for them via the Auto Filter feature, which automatically applies a filter optimized for the photo. Filters can be previewed before finalizing the edits.

Users can also choose from a selection of 34 stickers and 50 stamps to add to their photos, right from the native Camera app. The camera’s facial recognition technology can instantly apply static and animated facial feature stickers on the subject when in Camera or Video mode. New stickers and stamps will continue to be added in the future.

One-Handed Control

With the Galaxy S8’s enhanced UX, capturing life’s special moments has never been easier. Even with the phone’s large display, users can effortlessly launch and control the camera app with one hand.

A swipe right triggers shooting mode, while swiping left opens filter settings for convenient editing. Swiping up or down lets users effortlessly switch back and forth between the phone’s front and rear cameras. The camera’s zoom function has also been simplified and can be controlled by moving the shutter button to the right or left with one hand.

With advanced photo processing, fun new features and a convenient UX, the Galaxy S8 delivers on Samsung’s heritage of offering best-in-class Galaxy technology.

Theerasak Saksritawee’s brand-new series of works POPUMON 2016 features the rich cultural and ecological characteristics of Taiwan. From the dexterity of the incense maker in the 100-year-old “Wu Wan-Chun” incense shop to the humble dialog between the mortals and the gods conveyed by the “Eight Infernal Generals” in Tainan. In Keelung, he captured a landscaping feature made of 4 million PET bottles that mimics the famous painting “Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh. In Nantou, he provided a brand-new perspective of the lush greenery of the Bagua tea fields and Golden Dragon Mountain in Zhushan village at dawn. He also created a unique portrait of the Taiwan blue magpie in perfect harmony with fireflies on an early summer night.

The beauty of Taiwan represents a perfect endorsement of the Galaxy S7 edge, the first smartphone with Dual Pixel camera

Thanks to the revolutionary Dual Pixel technology along with the f1.7 aperture, Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge have peerless camera performence, which makes it become “the best smartphone camera that approach DSLR quality”. Its outstanding low light shooting function provides a brand-new perspective on Taiwan’s rich nightlife. The Thai photographer Theerasak Saksritawee stunned the whole world with his work POPUMON 2015 “LOST in TAIWAN” in 2015 and made the Taiwanese realize that their island is so full of beauty. In view of these achievements, Samsung Taiwan invited Theerasak Saksritawee to revisit the island and capture the gorgeous sights and views of Taiwan’s cultural and ecological characteristics with a Galaxy S7 edge camera and write another exciting chapter on the beauty of the island.

This photography project left its footprints on all major attractions and scenic spots of Taiwan including the Chessboard Rock in Zhubei, the Golden Waterfall in Rueifang, “Starry Night” in Keelung, dawn at Golden Dragon Mountain in Nantou, and the local firebugs. Theerasak Saksritawee photographed from morning to night to convey the multifaceted beauty and stories of Taiwan. To his amazement, Galaxy S7 edge takes breathtaking images even in the darkness. More variety and diversity is created through the use of wide-angle and telephoto lenses Galaxy S7 edge lens cover. The use of a telephoto lens made it possible to capture the Chessboard Rock in Zhubei in much greater detail turning the camera into an object of affection for photographers striving for perfection.

Every user can create a lasting memory of scenic beauty by mastering the secret photography techniques of Galaxy S7 edge

Theerasak Saksritawee revealed that the most special part of this trip was the religious activity that he witnessed in Taiwan. He used a Galaxy S7 edge to record this unique cultural and religious ceremony. The “Eight Infernal Generals” were captured in bright and clear continuous shooting in regular mode. In addition, he also felt very lucky to be able to photograph fireflies which are very rare in Thailand. He was full of praise and pointed out how special it was to photograph fireflies with a smartphone. He also stated that it was surprisingly easy to capture gorgeous night scenes. He suggests that people who would like to take on the challenge of capturing night scenes should give the Galaxy S7 edge a try, and they will be surprised by the unexpected amazing results.

Theerasak Saksritawee, who loves to experience culture points out that he has fallen in love with this island and that he is fascinated by the scenic beauty and hospitality of the locals. Due to the warm-hearted assistance of local citizens he was able to explore many hidden scenic spots. He also encourages every Taiwanese to capture the beauty of Taiwan with Galaxy S7 edge’s camera, which could allow them to discover and record every stunning detail and feature of this beautiful island, and experience the joy of photography with ease anytime and anywhere.

The Galaxy S7 is the first phone to ever use dual pixel technology and the results make it a worthwhile change for Samsung. It’s now easier for users to capture the exact moment they want, making sure they have lasting memories that are preserved in high quality. These are real enhancements – not just ones that sound good on paper.

We caught up with our experts to find out what happened behind the scenes to enable the Galaxy S7 to have the best camera Samsung has ever created. Youngmin Nam, senior manager of the Global Product Planning, principal engineer Hwayoung Kang and senior engineers Youngsoo Bok and Beomjoon Kwon from the Camera R&D joined this interview.

(From left to right: principal engineer Hwayoung Kang, senior engineers Beomjoon Kwon and Youngsoo Bok, and Youngmin Nam, senior manager of the Global Product Planning)

Q. Why did you apply dual pixel technology? What are the limitations of the typical smartphone cameras existing today?

Youngmin Nam: What prompted us to develop the dual pixel technology was the consumer need. Some people say a camera is a device that handles light. But if you think about it, it would be more appropriate to say that a camera is a device that handles light and time. A camera should be good at controlling light to allow people to take a clear picture, and time to allow them to grasp the moment they want to. In this regard, Samsung has so far made its best efforts. For instance, we improved autofocus by applying a phase difference sensor for the first time in a smartphone.

Consumers, however, still wanted more. Some said that when they took a picture in a dark place, it wasn’t bright enough. The picture tended to be dark and unclear so people couldn’t photograph the moment in the way they wanted to.

Hwayoung Kang: We researched all the possible areas related to a camera where progress could be made, not only the sensors but also tools and software, before we chose to go with dual pixel. We reviewed almost all the latest technologies related to a smartphone and a camera and came to a conclusion that a way to show the most innovative effects was to build in a dual pixel sensor, which was entirely new hardware back then.

Q. What process did you go through before you applied a dual pixel sensor? What was the most difficult process that still sticks in your mind?

Kang: Since there was no example of dual pixel technology built into a smartphone, there was a big risk to using a new sensor. However, because a camera was one of the most important features in the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, and dual pixel technology was a defining technology that determined the performance of this camera, we had a sense of responsibility to implement it in a proper way.

Youngsoo Bok: The image quality of a camera is hugely affected by the sensor and lens. In the case of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, as we built in a dual pixel sensor and a brighter new F1.7 lens, we faced new problems that didn’t exist before. For instance, we needed a new part that could collect and process information sent by a dual pixel sensor where there were two photodiodes in a pixel.

When it comes to image quality, in particular, even when a user sets the device to ‘Auto’ mode, settings are different in a smartphone camera depending on the condition under which a person uses a camera. Even under such varied settings and conditions, a camera should be able to provide the best image quality. As a new sensor and lens were built in, all the relevant processes had to be prepared from the ground up, right from the beginning.

Q. What efforts did you make to prove dual pixel technology internally?

Kang: This product was so special. Until the very last minute, we thought really hard about whether this solution was the most optimal one. Before this, I spent years researching a single sensor and thinking of how to develop it within its boundaries, but this time a dual pixel sensor was about introducing a wholly new technology. We were very careful to examine whether using a new sensor technology was the most advanced yet practical solution in terms of enhancing image quality and satisfying consumer needs.

Bok: From the beginning of this project, we thought of how to show the two strongest points of dual pixel technology: really fast autofocus, and bright and clear images in low-light conditions. So, we created a demonstration kit that could show image quality performance in comparison with the latest strategic products.

Nam: In terms of new technology and image quality, dual pixel technology provides a completely different level of product quality. But we were very worried about whether consumers could accept this technology. However, since engineers clearly demonstrated upgraded performance in low-light conditions, which consumers were eager to see, we carried on with conviction.

Q. What changes did the replacement of hardware bring about during the development?

Bok: In order to demonstrate the actual speed of autofocus, we can measure the time it takes and show it in quantitative terms. But for consumers, we thought it would be more understandable. We approach them with sensibility through actual comparison, not with specs. There was a need to show how fast our new product was compared to existing products.

That applies to not only autofocus but also picture quality in low-light conditions and even no-light conditions with 0 lux. The whole camera development team even carried DSLR cameras and a Galaxy S7 prototype, and searched for conditions where a user might actually use a camera.

Beomjoon Kwon: As we built in a dual pixel sensor and increased the speed of autofocus, burst mode became faster. As burst mode became faster, it subsequently led to more data to process when burst mode was used. So we needed to make efforts to improve the software in a way that could process data without placing a burden on the hardware.

Q. What difficulty did you have when you applied camera technology to mobile?

Kang: Even though dual pixel sensor was already built in cameras, building it in mobile was another challenge. This is because there was a huge difference in the size of the sensor itself. In previous years, however, Samsung had secured technology to keep a sensor at almost the same size while providing a higher number of pixels, and also had partners who could work together to build it. And we had expertise to handle smaller pixels. We were confident that we could make it if we were able to reduce the size of the existing pixels a bit more, building on the existing technological process and combining them together.

Q. How will building in dual pixel technology change the development of a smartphone camera?

Kang: We’re planning to focus on further improving the sophistication of dual pixel technology, and when this technology reaches near perfection, it could raise the possibility of building in the superb features of cameras, which have been thought of as impossible to be built in a smartphone. In other words, this could be seen as having established infrastructure in which a smartphone camera can further evolve.

Nam: Building in this dual pixel technology is an example of practical innovation. We tried to introduce what people really needed rather than showing off new features. We found a solution to satisfy these practical needs, and ultimately created a camera with which a user can conveniently use dual pixel technology and take a picture of whatever scene they want to at any moment.

Q. What made you include Motion Panorama? Any tip for users when taking a photo?

Nam: We enabled the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge to instantly take the best quality pictures with a dual pixel sensor and bright lens based on Samsung’s best expertise. After putting much thought into how to provide consumers with this new experience, we suggested a new way that broke down the barriers between photos and video. In fact, we wanted to provide a new experience in which a user could vividly remember the moment when they took a picture. Motion Panorama and Motion Photo are such examples.

We wanted to breathe life into the current Panorama mode and make it more vivid, so that people can enjoy a great view in a richer, more dynamic way.

Motion Photo is a feature that records a motion video of three seconds before you take a picture. You might simply think that you can videotape what you are doing when you take a photo. Imagine this: you take a photo of fireworks with the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, but you miss the best moment. When you use Motion Photo, you can go back in time and choose and see the best moment you want, and you can even take a photo of the scene later on and save it.

Motion Photo and Motion Panorama provide a new experience of enjoying pictures, not just the moment when you take them. Using these two modes, while looking at a motion picture, you can touch the scene you want to see, tilt the screen, and have fun searching the video.

Q. What was difficult when you implemented Motion Panorama? How does its recording work?

Kwon: The most difficult part when developing the software was to make sure the new features did not overlap with existing ones, because the settings featured in a number of cameras were all very different. So we thought deeply of how to ensure a user could effectively feel a certain feature differently from others.

For Motion Photo, when you turn it on, a camera starts recording all the scenes even if you don’t press the shutter. And the device shows you only three seconds before you push the shutter. In such a case, a user might be concerned about power consumption or data processing arising from it. In order to address those concerns, we always considered how to make sure our device worked more efficiently. Furthermore, there was a long discussion between various departments to decide how many seconds before our device should show a motion picture.

Q. What made you include Hyperlapse? Any tip for users when taking a photo?

Nam: People often use a time-lapse feature when they need to take a lengthy video and watch it in a short period of time. Hyperlapse is a feature that evolves and fits this time-lapse feature into mobile usability. Hyperlapse doesn’t simply fix and compress time, but it analyzes video and records it in a way that lapses faster when there is less movement while recording it in a way that lapses more slowly when there is more movement. It makes the footage more understandable when people watch it. On top of that, it minimizes the camera from shaking when taking a picture.

Let’s imagine you visit a museum or a famous tourist attraction. You cannot videotape everything and it is difficult to videotape while you appreciate them with your eyes. In this case, however, all you have to do is just turn on Hyperlapse and carry the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge along with you. With Hyperlapse, you could even watch the footage of an entire amusement park in only one minute. Of course, we also provide the existing fixed time-lapse feature.

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, announced its newest 12 megapixel (Mp) image sensor for smartphones, which will elevate the quality of mobile phone pictures. Already in mass production, this 1.4μm-pixel-based image sensor is equipped with Dual Pixel technology that has been reserved for DSLR cameras. The technology enables rapid auto-focus for fast photo shooting while producing premium image quality on mobile devices, even in low light situations.

“With 12 million pixels working as a phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) agent, the new image sensor brings professional auto-focusing performance to a mobile device,” said Ben K. Hur, Vice President of Marketing, System LSI Business at Samsung Electronics. “Consumers will be able to capture their daily events and precious moments instantly on a smartphone as the moments unfold, regardless of lighting conditions.”

Samsung’s new image sensor with Dual Pixel technology employs two photodiodes located on the left and right halves of a pixel, while a conventional image sensor dedicates less than five percent of its pixels, with one photodiode each that converts light particles into measurable photocurrent for phase detection. As each and every pixel of the Dual Pixel image sensor is capable of detecting phase differences of perceived light, significantly faster auto-focus has become possible. With such groundbreaking improvements, the image sensor ensures clear and sharp images especially for moving objects even in poor lighting conditions.

The image sensor has also adopted Samsung’s ISOCELL technology, which isolates the photodiodes in each pixel with a physical wall to further reduce color cross talk, maximizing the image sensor’s performance.

For top-of-the-line performance while keeping the size to a minimum, the new image sensor is built with cutting-edge chip-stacking technology. The Dual Pixel image sensor stacks a 65 nanometer (nm) sensor and 28nm logic chip together to deliver outstanding photo-taking experiences in today’s sleek smartphones.