Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced four new Samsung ISOCELL image sensors for its 0.7 micrometer (μm)-pixel product lineup; 108-megapixel (Mp) ISOCELL HM2, 64Mp ISOCELL GW3, 48Mp ISOCELL GM5 and 32Mp ISOCELL JD1. With the new 0.7μm ISOCELL technology, Samsung plans to expand the ultra-high-resolution offerings to mainstream smartphones.

“Samsung continues to pioneer innovations, such as ISOCELL Plus and Smart ISO, to deliver more pixels in a smaller package,” said Yongin Park, executive vice president of the sensor business at Samsung Electronics. “Last year, Samsung introduced the industry’s first 0.7μm-pixel image sensor and the first 108Mp sensors. Now we are bringing more of the advanced pixel technologies to mobile cameras in a variety of options that will enable high-resolution images and sleeker designs in a wider selection of tomorrow’s mobile devices.”

For ultra-high-resolution image sensors, even a mere 0.1μm-difference per pixel can have a significant impact on the overall size of the sensor as well as the height of the camera module. With pixels at 0.7μm, Samsung’s newest image sensors are up to 15-percent smaller than the 0.8μm sensors of the same resolution and reduce the height of the camera module by up to 10 percent. Smaller form factors give smartphone manufacturers more flexibility, such as added features or more streamlined designs, when developing their next-generation devices.

To collect an ample amount of light and increase the full well capacity despite the minute pixel sizes, Samsung has incorporated its advanced ISOCELL Plus and Smart-ISO technologies, especially optimized for 0.7μm. ISOCELL Plus retains the received light with a wall-like structure around the pixel while Smart-ISO makes full use of the incoming light by intelligently adjusting the ISO accordingly for optimal exposure.

In the latest 0.7μm products to be introduced later this year, Samsung will start rolling out an enhanced pixel technology, ISOCELL 2.0, which allows excellent performance despite the challenges with decreasing pixel sizes. The new technology further enhanced the wall structure between cells, resulting in added light sensitivity of up to 12 percent compared to the current ISOCELL Plus technology.

The New 0.7μm Lineup;

• ISOCELL HM2 is Samsung’s third 108Mp image sensor following the HMX and HM1. The new 108Mp-sensor is around 15-percent smaller than the 0.8μm-based predecessors, and reduces the height of the camera module by 10 percent. The HM2 features Super PD, a faster and more effective phase detecting auto focus solution, and like the HM1, comes with a nine-pixel binning technology as well as 3x lossless zoom.

• ISOCELL GW3 is a 64Mp-image sensor optimized for mainstream devices. Thanks to the smaller pixel size, the GW3’s optical size is nearly identical to that of Samsung’s 0.8μm 48Mp image sensor. In addition to Tetrapixel** and Smart-ISO technologies that help the sensor take bright images with high color fidelity, the GW3 is ideal for active lifestyles, featuring gyro-based electronic image stabilization (EIS) for sharper still photos and steadier videos. The image sensor supports video recording at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames-per-second (fps).

• ISOCELL GM5 is a versatile 48Mp-image sensor designed for use in telescoping or ultra-wide angle cameras. When used as a 5x optical telescoping sensor for folded-zoom, the GM5 takes full advantage of the compact 0.7μm pixel size that minimizes the camera bulge. For ultra-wide shots, the GM5 supports high-speed full-HD recording at 480fps. The sensor also offers a staggered-HDR feature, a faster and more power-efficient HDR technology that expedites image processing by sending a readout of long, medium, and short exposures of each row of pixels respectively to the mobile processor. As the readout is performed based on Tetrapixel’s 1.4μm two-by-two pixels, rather than at the individual 0.7μm-pixel level, staggered-HDR can provide brighter and clearer images with less noise.

• ISOCELL JD1 is the industry’s smallest 32Mp-image sensor at 1/3.14-inches, making it an ideal solution for smartphones with bezel-less displays that incorporate a hole-in-active-area or motorized pop-up mechanism for the front-facing camera. Even with 32-million pixels to capture a highly detailed selfie, the camera sits comfortably under the display as the height of the sensor’s camera module is comparable to those of 0.9μm 20Mp or 1.0μm 16Mp sensors. Like the GM5, the JD1 is also the one the first ISOCELL image sensors to offer staggered-HDR.

Samsung ISOCELL HM2, GW3 and JD1 are currently in mass production, and the company is sampling GM5.

* 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 1.0um-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.

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

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced the industry’s first 0.7-micrometer (μm)-pixel image sensor, the 43.7-megapixel (Mp) Samsung ISOCELL Slim GH1. Thanks to advanced ISOELL Plus technology, the new ultra-high-resolution GH1 image sensor embraces 43.7-million 0.7μm-sized pixels in a super-small package, providing the optimum solution for slim full-display devices.

“Samsung has been stepping up in pixel technology innovation from the industry’s first 1.0μm-pixel image sensor, to most recently, 0.8μm ultra-high-resolution sensors at 64Mp and 108Mp,” said Yongin Park, executive vice president of the sensor business at Samsung Electronics. “We are pleased to deliver yet another breakthrough with the industry’s first 0.7μm pixel image sensor, the ISOCELL Slim GH1 that will enable sleeker and more streamlined designs as well as excellent imaging experiences in tomorrow’s smartphones.”

The ISOCELL Slim GH1 is the industry’s first mobile image sensor to adopt the smallest pixel size in the industry at 0.7μm. By utilizing ISOCELL Plus, Samsung’s latest pixel isolation technology that minimizes color cross-talk and optical loss, the tiny 0.7μm pixels are able to absorb sufficient light information to produce bright and vivid photographs. In low-light environments, the GH1 makes use of pixel-merging Tetrapixel* technology that enables higher light sensitivity equivalent to that of a 1.4μm-pixel image sensor.

For video recording at 4K (3,840×2,160) resolutions, the ISOCELL Slim GH1, with a high resolution of 7,968×5,480, is able to take 4K videos with minimum loss in field of view (FoV), while most high-resolution image sensors crop or scale down full image resolutions that result in a reduced FoV. Using Tetrapixel technology, the GH1 is converted down to 3,984×2,740, a resolution that snugly covers the 4K (3,840×2,160) resolution, allowing users to capture more detailed backgrounds when recording high-resolution videos or selfies at 60T frames per second (fps).

For sharper photographs and video, the GH1 supports a gyro-based electronic image stabilization (EIS) and a high-performing phase detection auto-focus technology, Super PD, allowing fast and accurate autofocus. In addition, the real-time high dynamic range (HDR) feature delivers more balanced exposure and richer color even in mixed-light environments.

The Samsung ISOCELL Slim GH1 is expected to be in mass production by the end of this year.

* Samsung first announced its ISOCELL technology in 2013, which reduces color cross-talk 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 1.0um-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.

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

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced two new 0.8-micrometer (μm) pixel image sensors – the 64-megapixel (Mp) Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 and 48Mp ISOCELL Bright GM2. With the addition, Samsung expands its 0.8μm image sensor lineup, the smallest pixel size currently available in the market, from existing 20Mp to ultra-high 64Mp resolutions.

“Over the past few years, mobile phone cameras have become the main instrument for recording and sharing our everyday moments,” said Yongin Park, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics. “With more pixels and advanced pixel technologies, Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 and GM2 will bring a new level of photography to today’s sleekest mobile devices that will enhance and help change the way we record our daily lives.”

ISOCELL Bright GW1 is a 64Mp image sensor that features the highest resolution in Samsung’s 0.8μm-pixel image sensor lineup. With pixel-merging Tetrapixel technology^** and remosaic algorithm^***, GW1 can produce bright 16Mp images in low-light environments and highly-detailed 64Mp shots in brighter settings. To take pictures resembling the way the human eye perceives its surroundings in a mixed light environment, GW1 supports real-time high dynamic range (HDR) of up to 100-decibels (dB) that provides richer hues. In comparison, the dynamic range of a conventional image sensor is at around 60dB, while that of the human eye is typically considered to be around 120dB.

GW1 is equipped with a Dual Conversion Gain (DCG) that converts the received light into an electric signal according to the illumination of the environment. This allows the sensor to optimize its full well capacity (FWC), utilizing the collected light more efficiently especially in bright environments. Sharper results can be delivered through Super PD, a high-performance phase detection auto-focus technology, and full HD recording at 480 frames-per-second (fps) is supported for smooth cinematic slow motion videos.

ISOCELL Bright GM2 is a 48Mp image sensor that also adopts Tetrapixeltechnology in low-light environments and a remosaic algorithm in well-lit settings, bringing highly-detailed pictures with natural and vivid colors. GM2, like GW1, adopts DCG as well for added performance and Super PD for fast autofocus.

Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1 and GM2 are currently sampling and are expected to be in mass production in the second half of this year.

^*Samsung first announced its ISOCELL technology in 2013, which reduces color-cross talk 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 1.0um-pixel image sensor in 2015 and 0.9-pixel sensor in 2017. In June 2018, Samsung introduced an upgraded pixel isolation technology, the ISOCELL Plus.

^**Tetrapixel technology merges four pixels into one so that users can achieve high quality images in all light conditions.

^***In bright environments, Tetrapixel uses a re-mosaic algorithm to produce full resolution images.

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

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced its smallest high-resolution image sensor, the ISOCELL Slim 3T2. While being the industry’s most compact image sensor at 1/3.4 inches (approximately 5.1-millimeters diagonally), the 0.8μm-pixel ISOCELL Slim 3T2 delivers 20-megapixel (Mp) resolution for both front and back cameras in today’s sleekest mid-range smartphones.

“The ISOCELL Slim 3T2 is our smallest and most versatile 20Mp image sensor that helps mobile device manufacturers bring differentiated consumer value not only in camera performance but also in features including hardware design,” said Jinhyun Kwon, vice president of System LSI sensor marketing at Samsung Electronics. “As the demand for advanced imaging capabilities in mobile devices continue to grow, we will keep pushing the limits in image sensor technologies for richer user experiences.”

With 20-million active 0.8μm-sized pixels, the ISOCELL Slim 3T2 not just provides excellent clarity and detail. It also offers high color fidelity by adopting Samsung’s ISOCELL Plus technology that enables sensors to capture and absorb more light information for accurate color reproduction even with sub-micrometer-sized pixels.

In order to support smartphones with the latest display features such as the ‘hole-in display’ or ‘notch design,’ front-facing image sensors need to minimize their size while being able to capture high-quality images. The 1/3.4-inch 3T2 snuggly fits into a tiny module making more space for the display. In addition, Samsung’s Tetrapixel* technology, which merges four pixels to work as one, lets the 3T2 take brighter and sharper pictures in low-light settings as the color filter array’s light sensitivity increases to that of a 1.6μm-pixel image sensor at 5Mp resolution.

When applied in rear-facing multi-camera settings for telephoto solutions, the 3T2 adopts an RGB color filter array instead of Tetrapixel technology. The small size of the image sensor also reduces the height of the tele-camera module by around seven percent when compared to Samsung’s 1/3-inch 20Mp image sensor, allowing more elegant smartphone designs. Compared to a 13Mp sensor with the same module height, the 20Mp 3T2 retains 60-percent higher effective resolution at 10x digital zoom that presents clearer and more accurate results.

The Samsung ISOCELL Slim 3T2 is expected to be in mass production in the first quarter of this year.

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

“Demand for ultra-small, high-resolution image sensors are growing as smartphones evolve to deliver new and more exciting camera experiences for users,” said Ben K. Hur, vice president of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics. “With the introduction of our cutting-edge 0.8μm-pixel Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM1 and GD1 image sensors, we are committed to continue driving innovation in image sensor technologies.”

As cameras are becoming a key distinguishing feature in today’s mobile devices, smartphone makers are faced with the challenge to fit multiple cameras into the sleek designs of their latest flagships. At a reduced pixel size, the new sensors provide greater design flexibility, enabling camera module manufacturers to build smaller modules or pack more pixels into existing designs, and consequently allowing smartphone makers to maximize space utilization in slim, bezel-less smartphones.

The GM1 and the GD1 sensors are based on the company’s latest pixel isolation technology – the ISOCELL Plus* – which optimizes performance especially for smaller-dimension pixels, making them the ideal solution for today’s super-resolution cameras. In addition, thanks to Tetrapixel** technology, where four pixels are merged to work as one to increase light sensitivity, the GM1 and GD1 can deliver light sensitivity equivalent to that of a 1.6μm-pixel image sensor at 12Mp and 8Mp resolution, respectively. The sensors also support Gyro-based electronic image stabilization (EIS) for fast and accurate image capture.

A real-time high dynamic range (HDR) feature is added to the GD1 to deliver more balanced exposure, richer color and detail when filming selfie-videos or streaming live video content even in low-light, high-contrast environments.

The Samsung ISOCELL Bright GM1 and GD1 are expected to be in mass production in the fourth quarter of this year.

* Samsung first announced its ISOCELL technology in 2013, which reduces color-cross talk 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 1.0um-pixel image sensor in 2015 and 0.9-pixel sensor in 2017. In June 2018, Samsung introduced an upgraded pixel isolation technology, the ISOCELL Plus.

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

With India burgeoning as the world’s fastest growing smartphone market and poised as a major hub for smartphone manufacturing, the country’s mobile industry has been experiencing an extraordinary shift in all aspects of the ecosystem that show new opportunities as it progresses.

More than 300 industry experts attended the forum that included global mobile manufacturers, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) companies, component partners and analysts, and were encouraged to collaborate on ways to tread “Together Toward Tomorrow” within India’s exciting mobile landscape.

As a global technology leader and total solutions provider, Samsung emphasized that its extensive experience in supporting worldwide brands and growing local presence will provide both deep insight and differentiated value to its partners.

“Innovation is our core strength that enables us to bring technologically advanced solutions,” said Haejin Park, Vice President and Head of Device Solutions in Southeast Asia, Samsung Electronics. “We strongly believe that no achievement big or small is possible without the collective effort of all stakeholders and Samsung is committed to being a long-term partner on the road to success.”

A comprehensive portfolio of Samsung’s component solutions were highlighted at SMSF that included;

• Exynos 7 Series mobile processors for a wide range of product segments such as Exynos 9610 for high-end smartphones with intelligent vision and image processing, and Exynos 7885, 7904 and 7905 for powerful performance in more affordable devices.
• Exynos Modem 5100 that fully complies with the most current 5G standard and supports multi-mode communication in a single-chip design.
• Internet of Things (IoT) solutions from the efficient and reliable Exynos i S111 for narrowband applications to ARTIK end-to-end solutions
• ISOCELL image sensors optimized for various device requirements, such as the latest ISOCELL Plus that delivers exceptionally bright and vivid picture qualities, and ISOCELL Plug & Play solution for easy development of pre-tuned camera modules.
• Near Field Communication (NFC) and Power Management IC (PMIC) for mobile devices and accessories
• LPDDR5-based mobile DRAM built on 10-nanometer (nm)-class process technology that will be powering UHD mobile devices as well as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications.

Samsung first held its components forum in 2015 that focused on its lineup of image sensors. Recognizing the opportunities in India’s mobile market since then, the company has been expanding the scope of its offerings showcased at the Samsung Mobile Solutions Forum each year.

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

To take high-quality photographs, CMOS image sensors need to hold as much light, or photons, as possible and transmit the right color information to the photodiode. Such requirements were resolved by the introduction of Samsung’s ISOCELL technology in 2013. ISOCELL forms a physical barrier between the neighboring pixels, reducing color crosstalk and expanding the full-well capacity. This enables each pixel to absorb and hold more light than the conventional backside-illuminated (BSI) image sensor design for superior image quality.

With the introduction of ISOCELL Plus, Samsung pushes pixel isolation technology to a new level through an optimized pixel architecture. In the existing pixel structure, metal grids are formed over the photodiodes to reduce interference between the pixels, which can also lead to some optical loss as metals tend to reflect and/or absorb the incoming light. For ISOCELL Plus, Samsung replaced the metal barrier with an innovative new material developed by Fujifilm, minimizing optical loss and light reflection.

“We value our strategic relationship with Samsung and would like to congratulate on the completion of the ISOCELL Plus development,” said Naoto Yanagihara, corporate vice president of Fujifilm. “This development is a remarkable milestone for us as it marks the first commercialization of our new material. Through continuous cooperation with Samsung, we anticipate to bring more meaningful innovation to mobile cameras.”

The new ISOCELL Plus delivers higher color fidelity along with up to a 15-percent enhancement in light sensitivity. The technology also enables image sensors to equip 0.8-micrometer (µm) and smaller-sized pixels without any loss in performance, making it an optimal solution for developing super-resolution cameras with over 20 megapixels.

“Through close collaboration with Fujifilm, an industry leader in imaging and information technology, we have pushed the boundaries of CMOS image sensor technology even further,” said Ben K. Hur, vice president of System LSI marketing at Samsung Electronics. “The ISOCELL Plus will not only enable the development of ultra-high-resolution sensors with incredibly small pixel dimensions, but also bring performance advancements for sensors with larger pixel designs.”

The ISOCELL Plus will be showcased at the Mobile World Congress Shanghai, held from June 27 to 29.