48 MP camera has become a trend in smartphones for the past few months. Because of its 12MP pixel, binning technology allows taking the exceptionally bright and clear photo in low light. But why stop there? When you go even farther. At least Samsung thinks so. They just revealed a 64MP ISOCELL Bright GW1, world’s first 64MP camera. And that’s how Samsung beats Sony in mobile camera megapixel race for now.
The technology behind GW1 Sensor
The ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor offers a higher resolution than existing mobile cameras on the market but maintains the same pixel size (0.8 microns) as of current 48MP sensors. That means it’ll be physically larger and have the more light-gathering capability. This 64MP camera will also use the pixel-binning technology.
The Bright GW1 will use tetracell technology and remosaic algorithm to churn out 16 MP images in low lighting conditions by merging four pixels into one and 64 MP images with “color filter descrambling” in well-lit conditions.
“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.” Samsung said in the press release.
GW1 sensor will have a 1/1.72 inch sensor which is slightly bigger than the ½ inch sensor in the 48MP camera. It will also have super phase detection auto-focus technology, 480fps video recording, and Dual Conversion Gain (DCG). DCG helps convert 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.
Along with the GW1 sensor, Samsung has also introduced a 48Mp ISOCELL Bright GM2 with the same tetracell technology.
Which phones could have the sensor?
Initially, it is speculated that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 could have this 64MP camera. But Note 10 release is not far away. So it is highly unlikely that Samsung would be announcing the new sensor so close to launch. Samsung Galaxy S11 (may release in Feb 2020) may have this sensor. Recently we have seen that Samsung packed high-end camera spec in Galaxy A80. It could come in the next A-series phones too.
Xiaomi, Vivo, Apple, Motorola, and Nokia are already using sensor from Samsung, So Samsung may sell this GW1 sensor to them. We can expect to see this 64MP camera in action before the end of 2019. Are excited about this new sensor let us know.