Samsung Unveils 16-Megapixel Smartphone Camera Sensor With 1.0-Micron Pixels

Samsung earlier this year launched an 8-megapixel RWB (Red White Blue) camera sensor for front cameras based on its proprietary ISOCELL technology. Now, the South Korean company has launched 16-megapixel CMOS image sensor with 1.0-micron pixels for mobile devices. The new S5K3P3 16-megapixel image sensors are available for manufacturers, says Samsung.

The company stresses that the new module measuring less than 5mm will allow mobile manufacturers to have minimal camera protrusion. Samsung claims that the new image sensor will allow users to click images with higher colour fidelity even in poor lighting conditions, and with less visible noise. "Using ISOCELL technology dramatically reduces colour crosstalk of neighbouring pixels by adding physical barriers between each pixel," notes Samsung.

The new image sensor is also based on the company's ISOCELL technology and the company notes that the small pixel minimises the "overall size and height of an image sensor module."

According to Samsung, the new 16-megapixel image sensor reduces the module's overall height by 20 percent compared to the currently available 1.12-micron pixels based 16-megapixel image sensor modules.

Commenting on the announcement, Kyushik Hong, Vice President and Head of S.LSI Marketing at Samsung Electronics, said, "As a trendsetter in the mobile image sensor business, we are pleased to be the first to deliver the most advanced 1.0 micron pixel imager, which meets both high-resolution and slim design requirements for smartphone cameras. Starting with 16-megapixel sensor, Samsung plans to further expand 1.0-micoron pixel product category and lead the image sensor market for high performing slim mobile devices."

We can expect to see the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus featuring the new image sensor. Samsung recently scheduled the Galaxy Unpacked 2015 event on August 13, where the company is expected to debut its next-generation Galaxy Note smartphone alongside the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus at the same event.