Samsung Electronics today introduced its latest 200-megapixel (MP) image sensor, the ISOCELL HP2, with improved pixel technology and full-well capacity for stunning mobile images in tomorrow’s premium smartphones.

“The Samsung ISOCELL HP2 harnesses Samsung’s high-resolution image sensor technologies and know-how at the cutting edge for epic details,” said JoonSeo Yim, Executive Vice President of Sensor Business Team at Samsung Electronics. “Our leadership comes from innovative pixel technologies that allow our sensors to go beyond the number and size of pixels. We will continue to open new horizons and solidify our presence in the expanding ultra-high-resolution sensor market.”

The ISOCELL HP2 packs 200-million 0.6-micrometer (μm) pixels in a 1/1.3” optical format, a sensor size that is widely used in 108MP main smartphone cameras. This enables consumers to enjoy even higher resolutions in the latest high-end smartphones without larger camera bumps in their devices.

With Samsung’s advanced pixel-binning technology, Tetra²pixel, the HP2 adds more versatility to the camera as it simulates different pixel sizes to accommodate varying lighting levels. When in low-lit environments, the sensor transforms either into a 1.2μm 50MP or 2.4μm 12.5MP image sensor by binding four to 16 neighboring pixels. For fuller 8K video, approximately at 33MP, the HP2 switches to 1.2μm 50MP mode to minimize cropping and capture more of the scene. Filming 8K at 30 frames-per-second (fps), a wide field of view along with bigger pixel size can produce sharp cinematic videos.

Washed out pictures from brightly lit environments can be significantly reduced with the HP2, thanks to Samsung’s new Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technology. In a photo diode within each pixel, a voltage transfer gate is placed on the bottom to transport electrons from the pixels to the logic layer. With high precision, D-VTG adds a second transfer gate in the pixel, boosting the pixel’s full-well capacity by more than 33 percent. With more electrons stored and efficient signal transfers, this method can reduce overexposure and enhance color reproduction, especially in bright light conditions.

In low-lit settings, the HP2’s auto-focusing is taken to the next level with Super QPD, which allows the sensor to use all its 200-million pixels for focusing agents. The ample amount of focusing agents are grouped by four adjacent pixels to recognize both horizontal and vertical pattern changes that delivers faster and more accurate auto-focusing. Utilizing the rich pattern data along with the sheer number of reference points, the new sensor is capable of fast auto-focusing, even in a dimly lit environment.

For superb HDR performance, Samsung is introducing the DSG feature for the first time in 50MP mode which applies two separate conversion values to the analog signal received at the pixel level. In addition, the Smart-ISO Pro, an HDR solution that merges different levels of ISO readouts from a single exposure, allows the camera to take 12.5MP images and 4K at 60fps video in HDR.

The Samsung ISOCELL HP2 has entered mass production.

▲ Sungsoo Choi (left) from the Semiconductor R&D Center and Myoungoh Ki from the Advanced Sensor Development Team in Samsung Electronics’ System LSI business that developed the ISOCELL HP3.

The nail-sized camera lenses that are built into mobile devices have advanced extraordinarily since their inception. After becoming the first company in the industry to unveil CMOS image sensors (CIS) with 108 and 200 megapixels in 2019 and 2021 respectively, Samsung Electronics has recently surprised the market yet again with its ISOCELL HP3 image sensor, an image sensor packed with 200 million 0.56-micrometer (μm)-pixels, the smallest pixels in the industry.

Samsung is a leader in image sensor technologies with innovative semiconductor designs that can capture stunning images with high amounts of pixels. Through the announcement of the mass production of its ultra-high pixel image sensor, the ISOCELL HP3, the company has commercialized the development of 200MP mobile image sensors with ultra-small pixels.

To learn more about how Samsung developed this industry leading ultra-high pixel image sensor, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Myoungoh Ki and Sungsoo Choi, developers from the System LSI business and the Semiconductor R&D Center respectively who played a leading role in the development of the new ISOCELL HP3.

Smaller and Better: The First Company in the Industry To Commercialize 0.56μm Pixels

An image sensor is a system semiconductor that converts light that enters the device through the camera lens into digital signals. From digital cameras and smartphones to laptops and cars, image sensors are built into all electronic products that come with a camera. The ISOCELL HP3 that Samsung has recently unveiled is an image sensor that packs 200 million 0.56μm pixels, the smallest pixels in the industry, in a 1/1.4” optical format.¹

Since 2019, Samsung has annually succeeded in reducing its pixel size to match the smallest size in the industry. Smaller pixels are needed in order to keep devices slim.

“With a smaller unit pixel size, the physical size of the sensor and module can be reduced, allowing the size and width of the lens to be reduced as well,” explained Ki. “This can eliminate elements that interfere with the design of the device, such as a camera that protrudes, and can also reduce power consumption.”

While smaller pixels enable devices to be slimmer, maintaining image quality with smaller pixels is key. Developed using cutting-edge technology, the ISOCELL HP3, with a 12 percent smaller pixel size than the previous ISOCELL HP1 model, can reduce the camera module surface area in a mobile device by up to 20%. Despite its smaller pixel size, the sensor was developed using technology that maximizes full well capacity (FWC) and minimizes sensitivity loss. Additionally, new features were added to the sensor, including auto-focusing capabilities for all pixels and functions that enable high-speed video operation, along with enhanced color expression.

Increased Light Absorption and Photo Diode Capacity Using Unique Technological Capabilities

Smaller pixel size is ideal for creating smaller, slimmer devices but may result in less light entering the device or interference between adjacent pixels. Despite these challenges, Samsung was able to utilize the industry’s smallest pixels to create an innovative new sensor.

“It’s all thanks to Samsung’s proprietary technological capabilities,” said Ki. “Samsung’s innovative technology is able to provide high performance even in much smaller devices.”

Samsung succeeded in creating physical walls between pixels that are thinner and deeper by using its proprietary technology called Full Depth deep trench isolation (DTI), guaranteeing high performance even with 0.56μm. DTI, the key technology of the ISOCELL, creates an insulated component between pixels, acting as an isolated wall to prevent light loss and improve optical performance. Developer Choi compared this technology to building a thin barrier between different rooms in a building.

“In layman’s terms, it is the same as trying to create a thinner wall between your room and the room next door without affecting the soundproofing level,” explained Choi.

The key to DTI is to create thinner and deeper silicone walls to increase the ISO and reduce crosstalk² since larger insulation components between pixels mean more light loss. By applying this technique to the 0.56μm pixels, Samsung increased light absorption and maximized photo diode (PD) capacity. Therefore, utilizing ultra-small pixels has become possible since more light per pixel can be stored and processed even with a smaller light receptor area.

Auto-Focusing Feature for All 200 Megapixels Provides Increased Speed and Accuracy

The Super Quad Phase Detection (QPD) technology, which was first used in the HP3, enables all 200 megapixels to focus by increasing the auto-focusing pixel intensity to 100%. The Super QPD offers a faster and more accurate auto-focusing feature by utilizing one lens over four pixels, enabling the measurement of all phase differences of the left, right, top and bottom sides of the photographed subject. Not only is auto-focusing accurate even when it is dark, but high definition is maintained even when zoomed in.

To tackle the problem of poor image quality in low-light environments, Samsung utilized innovative pixel technology to ensure high quality images. “We utilized an upgraded version of Samsung’s proprietary Tetra²pixel technology which combines four or sixteen adjacent pixels to operate as one large pixel in low-light environments,” said Choi. The upgraded pixel technology enables high-resolution filming in 8K at 30 frames-per-second (fps) and in 4K at 120fps with no loss in the field of view. Moreover, it is possible to film 8K videos in ultra-high resolution with the same field of view as when taking photos.

Similar to low-light environments, it is also difficult to take photos when there is too much sunlight. In order to combat this problem, unique technology is needed to adjust the levels in photos to capture an image properly. “When there is too much or too little light, it is important to increase the dynamic range³ in order to take a natural photo that looks similar to what we see with our eyes,” said Ki. “By using the Smart-ISO Pro technology, which uses two conversion gains, and the Staggered High Dynamic Range (HDR)⁴ feature, which morphs three frames with different exposures (short exposure, medium exposure and long exposure) into one, it supports HDR photography that creates natural images even when shooting in imperfect lighting conditions, providing an optimal result.”

Collaboration: The Key for Overcoming Technical Limitations and Enabling Fast Development

During the development of the ISOCELL HP3, the developers faced various technical challenges. “As this was the first product that utilized the Super QPD technology, there was a lot of trial and error when utilizing a new structure that could not be found in existing Front Deep Trench Isolation (FDTI), and we also experienced issues that we had not anticipated in each development stage,” said Choi.

Despite such a difficult development process, the new sensor was announced less than a year after the previous model was released. The two developers attributed this rapid product development and release to collaboration between different teams.

“Whenever we faced a technical issue, we responded by closely cooperating with different business divisions, our team and even overseas research centers,” said Ki. “We were able to create synergy by adding know-how to top tier products, such as memory chips from the Semiconductor R&D center, logic chips and more. This new product may be the biggest collaborative effort between different departments yet, including employees from the Semiconductor R&D Center, Pixel Development Team, foundry, researchers at the SSIR and all groups in the advanced development team, such as sensor design, pixel, solution, product technology, manufacturing and algorithm.”

Pride in Leading Technical Prowess: Leading the Image Sensor Market

While the image sensor market is expected to experience rapid growth due to increased demand for cameras and the diversification of related products, Samsung is setting trends for cameras in the next-generation mobile image sensor market by overcoming the limitations of pixel miniaturization. Samsung Newsroom asked the two developers how they felt about leading the technical development of the ISOCELL HP3, the first 200MP image sensor in the industry to use 0.56μm pixels.

“I take great pride in the fact that we are creating trends in the image sensor market and I am confident that we will continue to lead in micropixel technology,” said Choi. “Since applications of image sensors are becoming more widespread in various industries, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and the automobile industry, in addition to the smartphone industry, we will lead the development of future technologies and markets based on our unique technological capabilities,” said Ki, sharing his future ambitions.

Samsung has successfully created ultra-small devices that capture images in high definition through its innovative image sensor technology. Samsung will continue to lead the image sensor market through its unique innovations, such as the ISOCELL image sensor, that provide optimized and advanced experiences to its users.

¹ The diameter of the area that is captured through the camera lens.

² A phenomenon where light interferes with the photodiodes of adjacent pixels.

³ The ratio between the brightest and darkest parts in a digital image.

⁴ A technology that expands the scope of brightness by making the bright parts brighter and the dark parts darker, similar to how the actual human eye sees.

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced the 200MP ISOCELL HP3, the image sensor with the industry’s smallest 0.56-micrometer (μm)-pixels.

“Samsung has continuously led the image sensor market trend through its technology leadership in high resolution sensors with the smallest pixels,” said JoonSeo Yim, Executive Vice President of Sensor Business Team at Samsung Electronics. “With our latest and upgraded 0.56μm 200MP ISOCELL HP3, Samsung will push on to deliver epic resolutions beyond professional levels for smartphone camera users.”

Epic Resolution Beyond Pro Levels

Since its first 108MP image sensor roll-out in 2019, Samsung has been leading the trend of next-generation, ultra-high-resolution camera development. Through the steady launch of new image sensors and advancements in performance, the company is once again forging ahead with the 0.56μm 200MP ISOCELL HP3.

The ISOCELL HP3, with a 12 percent smaller pixel size than the predecessor’s 0.64μm, packs 200 million pixels in a 1/1.4” optical format, which is the diameter of the area that is captured through the camera lens. This means that the ISOCELL HP3 can enable an approximately 20 percent reduction in camera module surface area, allowing smartphone manufacturers to keep their premium devices slim.

The ISOCELL HP3 comes with a Super QPD auto-focusing solution, meaning that all of the sensor’s pixels are equipped with auto-focusing capabilities. In addition, Super QPD uses a single lens over four-adjacent pixels to detect the phase differences in both horizontal and vertical directions. This paves way for a more accurate and quicker auto focusing for smartphone camera users.

The sensor also allows users to take videos in 8K at 30 frames-per-second (fps) or 4K at 120fps, with minimal loss in the field of view when taking 8K videos. Combined with the Super QPD solution, users can take movie-like cinematic footage with their mobile devices.

Ultimate Low Light Experience Through ‘Tetra²pixel’

The ISOCELL HP3 also provides an ultimate low-light experience, with the Tetra²pixel technology that combines four pixels into one to transform the 0.56μm 200MP sensor into a 1.12μm 50MP sensor, or a 12.5MP sensor with 2.24μm-pixels by combining 16 pixels into one. The technology enables the sensor to simulate a large-sized pixel sensor to take brighter and more vibrant shots even in dimmed environments, like in-doors or during nighttime.

To maximize the dynamic range of the mobile image sensor, the ISOCELL HP3 adopts an improved Smart-ISO Pro feature. The technology merges image information made from the two conversion gains of Low and High ISO mode to create HDR images. The upgraded version of the technology comes with a triple ISO mode — Low, Mid and High — that further widens the sensor’s dynamic range. In addition, the improved Smart-ISO Pro enables the sensor to express images in over 4 trillion colors (14-bit color depth), 64 times more colors than the predecessor’s 68 billion (12-bit). Furthermore, by supporting staggered HDR along with Smart-ISO Pro, the ISOCELL HP3 can switch between the two solutions depending on the filming environment to produce high-quality HDR images.

Samples of the Samsung ISOCELL HP3 are currently available, and mass production is set to begin this year.

Keep reading to learn how the 28-meter-wide, 22-meter-high photograph (about one and a half times the size of a basketball court) came out.

“Our desire to truly test the limits of the high-performance 200MP image sensor and its image quality is what brought this challenge about,” said Changwan Kim, project manager from the Global Marcom Team of Device Solutions Division at Samsung Electronics.

“I have always wondered just how big you could go when it comes to printing out a 200MP image,” said Minhyuk Lee, an engineer from the Sensor Solutions Team at Samsung’s System LSI Business. “As exciting as it was, the challenge was a demanding one, as this was our first time showcasing the quality of an image sensor that has yet to be adopted in smartphones.”

Taking a picture with an image sensor still under development, for a camera module that is not yet fully optimized, is a very tricky task. Nonetheless, the team decided to push themselves by working with a living, moving subject rather than going with an inanimate object.

“Choosing a cat as our subject was a difficult decision. It gave us a lot of obstacles to overcome, such as capturing such an active subject with a test board,” said Minhyuk Lee. “However, the team concluded that the subject should be something that would show off a high level of detail and that was a popular photography subject at the same time.”

The team calculated several variables while preparing to shoot in an unstable environment. They even built a custom adaptor to allow them to attach various DSLR camera lenses to a test board. “In the end, we thought it was most important to capture the scene in the same conditions that smartphone users would be in,” said Kaeul Lee of the Sensor Solutions Team. “Because of this, we went with a smartphone camera module with no other aids. The results were very satisfying.”

Since the photo was taken using a test board, the photographer first checked the screen and adjusted the composition. Then, the engineers modified the settings to optimize exposure and focus. After observing the cat’s movements, the film crew then used different methods to take a series of pictures. Photographer Hyunjoong Kim was curious to see the result since 200MP resolution is not easy to come by, even in DSLR cameras. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the raw image enlarged to 100%,” said Hyunjoong Kim. “I was truly astonished by the degree of detail. In that moment, I knew any prejudices I previously had regarding smartphone photography had been proven wrong.”

The printing process was far from easy, as obviously, a 616 square-meter image cannot be printed all at once. The picture had to be printed on twelve separate 2.3-meter-long pieces of fabric and then stitched together. The printout was then transported over on a truck and installed on the wall of a building using a crane.

“When the picture was unfurled for the big reveal, the true enormousness of it really struck me, and not just because of its actual size,” said Changwan Kim. “The moment I witnessed the 200 million pixels depicting the stunning detail of the cat’s eyes and fur, I was overwhelmed by all of the efforts that had gone into developing this final product.”

For the team, the challenge of truly visualizing the next-level capabilities of 200MP technology was a thrilling one. Going forward, Samsung will continue to expand its leadership in the high-resolution market.

“The ultimate benefit of the 200MP image sensor is to allow users to capture an image that can be zoomed in and cropped without compromising on image quality,” said Kaeul Lee and Minhyuk Lee in a final comment. “The 200MP image sensor will soon become the optimal solution for 8K video recording.”

In the future, keep an eye out for new experiences the thumbnail-sized ISOCELL mobile image sensor will deliver next by following Samsung Newsroom.

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced the ISOCELL HP1, the industry’s first 200-megapixel (MP) image sensor with 0.64μm pixels, and ISOCELL GN5, the first image sensor to adopt all-directional focusing Dual Pixel Pro technology with two photodiodes in a single 1.0μm pixel.

“Samsung has been pioneering ultrafine pixel technologies that are taking high-resolution image sensors to the next level,” said Duckhyun Chang, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics. “With the ISOCELL HP1 that is breaking barriers and ISOCELL GN5 bringing ultrafast auto focus, Samsung will continue to lead the trend for next-generation mobile imaging technologies.”

ISOCELL HP1: Capture the World in Breathtaking 200MP and Crystal Sharp 8K Video

The ISOCELL HP1 is the industry’s first mobile image sensor to support 200MP. Based on Samsung’s most advanced 0.64μm-sized pixels, the ISOCELL HP1 brings such ultrahigh resolution in a small package that fits comfortably in today’s handheld devices. With the ISOCELL HP1, pictures hold an astonishing amount of detail that helps the image stay sharp even when cropped or resized.

For ultimate low-light photography, the ISOCELL HP1 features an all-new Tetra²pixel** technology, a pixel-binning technology that uses a two-by-two, four-by-four or full pixel layout depending on the environment. In a low-lit environment, the HP1 transforms into a 12.5MP image sensor with large 2.56μm pixels by merging 16 neighboring pixels. The newly formed 2.56μm pixel is capable of more light absorption and sensitivity, producing brighter and clearer photos in in-doors or in the evening. In bright outdoor environments, the sensor’s 200-million pixels can capture ultra-high-definition photography on mobile devices.

The ISOCELL HP1 can take 8K videos at 30 frames-per-second (fps) with minimum loss in the field of view. The HP1 merges four neighboring pixels to bring the resolution down to 50MP or 8,192 x 6,144 to take 8K (7,680 x 4,320) videos without the need to crop or scale down the full image resolution.

ISOCELL GN5: Lock on Instantly and Take Super-Sharp Hi-Res Images With All-Directional Autofocus

The ISOCELL GN5 is the industry’s first 1.0μm image sensor to integrate Dual Pixel Pro, an all-directional autofocusing technology, that can substantially boost autofocusing capabilities. This technology places two photodiodes, the smallest in the industry, within each 1.0μm pixel of the sensor either horizontally or vertically to recognize pattern changes in all directions. With one million phase-detecting multi-directional photodiodes covering all areas of the sensor, the ISOCELL GN5’s autofocusing becomes instantaneous, enabling sharper images in either bright or low-lit environments.

The image sensor also makes use of Samsung’s proprietary pixel technology, which applies Front Deep Trench Isolation (FDTI) on a Dual Pixel product for the first time in the industry. Despite the microscopic photodiode size, FDTI enables each photodiode to absorb and hold more light information, improving the photodiodes’ full-well capacity (FWC) and decreasing crosstalk within the pixel.

Samples of Samsung ISOCELL HP1 and GN5 are currently available.

* 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. Samsung continues to enhance its pixel isolation methods with ISOCELL Plus and ISOCELL 2.0 technologies.

** Technological term of “Tetra²pixel” was updated in July 2022.

Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced ISOCELL Auto 4AC, an automotive image sensor that offers advanced 120-decibel (dB) high dynamic range (HDR) and LED flicker mitigation (LFM) especially for surround-view monitors (SVM) or rear-view cameras (RVC) in high-definition resolution (1280 x 960). The new sensor is Samsung’s first imaging solution optimized for automotive applications.

“The new ISOCELL Auto 4AC combines Samsung’s innovative and market-proven image sensor technologies with a unique CornerPixel solution for advanced HDR and LFM capabilities, offering exceptional viewing experiences regardless of lighting conditions,” said Duckhyun Chang, executive vice president of sensor business at Samsung Electronics. “Starting with the ISOCELL Auto 4AC, we plan to expand our automotive sensor lineup to areas such as camera monitor systems (CMS), autonomous driving and in-cabin monitoring.”

Various lighting situations on the road may pose obstacles to the driver. Quick transitions from a low-lit environment to a brighter one, such as exiting a tunnel, may require a few seconds for the driver’s eyes to adjust. Also, flickering from LED headlamps or road signage, such as street lamps and traffic lights, could become increasingly noticeable on the automotive system’s camera screen.

The ISOCELL Auto 4AC offers a safer driving experience with an enhanced field of view for the driver with its CornerPixel technology. The technology features a specialized pixel structure that mitigates LED light over 90-hertz (Hz). Within a single pixel area, it embeds two photodiodes, one 3.0µm pixel for viewing low light images, and a 1.0µm pixel placed at the corner of the big pixel for brighter environments. With two photodiodes capturing images in different exposures simultaneously, the sensor offers up to 120dB HDR with minimal motion blur, allowing smoother transitions between dark and bright areas while preserving more details of the road ahead.

To minimize LED flickering, the smaller photodiode’s exposure time can be extended, preventing pulsing LED light from being displayed as flickering on the camera screen. This delivers a more pleasant viewing experience for the driver and more accurate image data on LED-embedded objects for the automotive system to recognize.

The Samsung ISOCELL Auto 4AC comes in a 1/3.7-inch optical format with 1.2 million 3.0-micrometer (µm) pixels, and for streamlined client system installations, an image signal processor (ISP) is embedded within the sensor.

The 4AC meets stringent AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualifications, including a -40°C to 125°C operating temperature range, and is currently in mass production.

* Editor’s Note: Actual performance may vary depending on device and user environment.

* 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. Samsung continues to enhance its pixel isolation methods with ISOCELL Plus and the ISOCELL 2.0 technologies.

Dynamic range, which refers to the brightest and darkest parts of a scene, is key to creating vibrant images with your smartphone. However, even the best digital cameras available today are unable to match the dynamic range of the human eye.

To maximize the dynamic range on smartphone cameras, Samsung engineers developed an innovative High Dynamic Range (HDR) solution for mobile image sensors – the Smart-ISO Pro.

How Image Sensors Capture Light

To understand how Smart-ISO Pro creates dynamic and vivid images, it is key to first understand how image sensors capture light and how sensor’s light sensitivity works.

In digital photography, the conversion gain determines the light sensitivity of the image sensor and is utilized to convert light into voltage. When shooting in low-light environments, details in dark areas can be lost if the conversion gain is too low. By contrast, the image sensor may not be able to retain sufficient color information if the conversion gain is too high in brighter environments.

Most mobile image sensors have a fixed conversion gain. This makes it challenging for smartphones to consistently capture high-quality photos across different lighting environments. The problem can then become even more pronounced in mixed lighting environments with extreme lighting discrepancies, such as backlit portraits.

Pro-Grade Photography, Made Simple

To ensure smartphone cameras can deliver clear images even in diverse lighting situations, Samsung developed Smart-ISO technology for its image sensors. This solution equips image sensors with two levels of conversion gain, high and low ISO mode, allowing the camera to select the optimal settings depending on the environment.

When the lighting is low, high ISO mode converts light to voltage with higher conversion gain to express adequate detailing in shadow while reducing noise in the image. Low ISO mode also maximizes the capacity of each individual pixel to prevent oversaturation and to enhance color reproduction in brighter parts of the shot.

Following the development of Smart-ISO, engineers at Samsung began exploring ways to combine two levels of conversion gain into a single image sensor in order to improve the dynamic range. The result is Smart-ISO Pro, an HDR solution that enables the image sensor to capture a single HDR photo with the benefits of both high and low ISO modes.

When the smartphone camera takes a photo, Smart-ISO Pro first converts the light information of the scene into the voltage signal in both high and low ISO modes respectively. Next, the technology intelligently combines the outcome of the two modes together to create a final image with high dynamic range. This enables the image sensor to bring out the detailing of darker areas, retain the natural color of highlight areas, and ultimately produce images that are true-to-life.

Bursting With Color

The power of Smart-ISO Pro technology goes beyond its ability to precisely capture contrasting light and shadowed areas. With 12-bit color depth support, the technology also delivers unparalleled accuracy in color reproduction. Pixels in image sensors record color information through binary digits, also known as bits. The more bits per pixel, the more colors the sensor can produce.

By combining the information from two 10-bit images together, Smart-ISO Pro can express over 687 billion colors, which is 10 times more than a single 10-bit image. When shooting a smartphone’s pro mode, 12-bit HDR images can be saved in RAW format, giving users greater flexibility when it comes to adjusting exposure, white balance, color and more with less concessions.

The integration of Smart-ISO Pro into Samsung’s ISOCELL image sensors is just another way the company is constantly endeavoring to provide users with pro-grade mobile photography solutions. Take a look at the video below to see the uncompromising Smart-ISO Pro technology in action.

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.

The release of Samsung’s ISOCELL Bright HMX in 2019 marked the introduction of the industry’s first 108MP mobile image sensor, but the innovation didn’t stop there. In 2020, Samsung introduced the ISOCELL Bright HM1, which has set a new standard for mobile image sensors. Enabling industry-leading pixel counts, the ISOCELL Bright HM1 produces such fine detail that even zoomed-in-upon sections of pictures remain crisp and clear. The image sensor additionally includes a range of features that allow its outstanding performance to be brought to a wide range of capturing environments.

The video below illustrates how the ISOCELL Bright HM1 captures details of the natural world that would ordinarily be missed by the human eye, delivering stunningly realistic photography, all on your smartphone:

A Whole New Standard of Detail 

When it comes to taking crisp, intricately detailed pictures, pixel-count is of enormous importance. An image sensor is responsible for detecting and converting light into image information, and the ISOCELL Bright HM1 is capable of converting light information into images that are comprised of 108 million effective pixels. This means that smartphone cameras are now capable of taking pictures with a standard of resolution that would usually only be seen in photos taken with a professional-grade camera. The images produced are so intricately detailed that, even when one smaller section of the picture is enlarged due to zooming or cropping, that individual section still appears extremely sharp.

But the ISOCELL Bright HM1 doesn’t just produce a lot of pixels – it incorporates innovative pixel isolation technology to make those pixels act intelligently as well. ISOCELL Plus technology allows for individual pixels to be isolated with physical barriers, thus allowing them to gather in more light. This advanced technology also allows for pixel performance to be maximized despite the pixels’ small size, while significantly reducing crosstalk, optical loss and light reflection.

Innovative Pixel Transformation

Pixel-binning is a process that allows an image sensor to combine adjoining pixels in order to improve light absorption capabilities. This process means that the image sensor can take ultra-high resolution shots during the day, and then, in low-light environments such as at night, it can combine adjacent pixels into a single larger pixel to produce brighter, clearer images with reduced noise.

Following Samsung’s success with Tetrapixel* binning technology – which involves merging four pixels together into a two-by-two array – the ISOCELL Bright HM1 has introduced Nonapixel* technology. Nonapixel involves combining nine neighboring pixels into one to more than double the light absorption capabilities offered by Tetrapixel technology, and ensure that photos taken at night are bright, lack noise, and maintain excellent resolution.

Zoom Like Never Before

The ISOCELL Bright HM1 allows you to see up close without compromising on quality. With the use of Samsung’s innovative new image sensor, users can capture close-up images at up to 3X zoom without upscaling. Images caught at 3X zoom will maintain high-quality 12MP resolution, and zoomed in sections can additionally be previewed on-screen without upscaling.

This kind of ‘lossless zoom’ is made possible, firstly, by the image sensor’s ultra-high resolution, by which the sheer number of pixels in each individual shot allows a zoomed-in-upon section to maintain excellent resolution. The feature is additionally enabled by the image sensor’s ability to remap pixels in three-by-three arrays into RGB patterns itself, instead of having to outsource the task to a mobile processor. This direct pixel remapping is enabled by embedded hardware IP built right into the image sensor.

Intelligent ISO Selection for Each Unique Moment

Native-ISO is responsible for determining the sensitivity of the image sensor. However, simply incorporating one fixed-native-ISO into an image sensor limits the solution’s ability to adapt to a range of lighting situations. Thus, the ISOCELL Bright HM1 incorporates ‘Smart-ISO’ technology, which allows the image sensor to intelligently cater ISO selection to each unique lighting environment it is faced with.

With the use of Smart-ISO technology, optimal dynamic range and reduced noise can be brought to a vast range of shooting environments. While low ISO is effective in well-lit environments, high ISO is better suited to low-light settings. For brightly lit shots, low ISO extends a wider dynamic range towards bright sections in order to capture them in far more detail. If the camera was forced to utilize a higher native-ISO in a bright setting, the signal would be over-amplified, meaning that color information with values close to white could be lost. In low-light conditions, high native-ISO extends a greater dynamic range towards the dark sections of the shot, illuminating more detail in those areas.

Take Professional-Grade Photography into Your Hands

While delivering industry-leading pixel counts and innovative new pixel optimization technology, the ISOCELL Bright HM1 equips your smartphone camera with lossless zoom and intelligently caters its settings to ensure that you capture great photos in a wide range of settings.

Enjoy intelligent, industry-leading photography right in your pocket as the ISOCELL Bright HM1 takes smartphone photography to new heights.

* Technological terms of “Nonapixel” and “Tetrapixel” were updated in July 2022.