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.

Capable of capturing stunning HDR landscapes and low-light portraits, smartphone cameras have reached a point where they can produce pro-grade photos. Today’s smartphone cameras combine multiple lenses with cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to deliver stunning images. Samsung’s ISOCELL image sensors are at the core of these camera innovations, enabling users to capture their every precious moment with top-of-the-line image quality.

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 Tetracell 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 Tetracell 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 Tetracell 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 Tetracell 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 Tetracell 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 Tetracell 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.

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 Tetracell 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 Tetracell 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 Tetracell technology, a pixel-merging technique that improves the pixels’ capacity to capture and process more light. By binning four pixel signals into one, Tetracell 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 Tetracell 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.

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.