The high-resolution smartphone sensors are coming

According to a new report from Korean outlet ETNews spotted by Android Authority, it’s wanting very possible that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will use the 200-megapixel digicam sensor that the corporate launched final yr. That is a complete lot of pixels, and Samsung isn’t alone on this latest megapixel arms race — Motorola beat the corporate to the punch with the Motorola X30 Pro. Even Apple, a 12-megapixel digicam devotee, appears like it’s going to lastly transfer to increased decision 48-megapixel digicam sensors with the iPhone 14.

It’s not all about massive numbers; shifting to higher-pixel-count sensors has actual picture high quality advantages. In this chapter of the megapixel race, it’s all about pixel binning. Samsung already employs this with its 108-megapixel sensor, and taking a brilliant high-res photograph isn’t the purpose — slightly, combining particular person pixels into four-by-four or two-by-two configurations is.

This new sensor simply takes the expertise a step additional. The 0.64μm pixels on Samsung’s 200-megapixel sensor are comparatively small, contemplating that the pixels on Apple’s latest 12-megapixel sensor measure 1.9μm. But placing 16 of them collectively makes for pixels which are successfully 2.56μm. All issues being equal, greater pixels will acquire extra mild and make your low-light photographs higher. By default, you get a 12-megapixel ultimate picture, so there’s no danger of unknowingly filling up your cellphone storage with 200-megapixel photographs.

Great, proper? There’s a catch — primarily based on rumors proper now, it appears like solely the most costly fashions in Samsung and Apple’s lineup will get the high-res sensors: the S23 Ultra and the Pro fashions of the iPhone 14. The remainder of us will simply need to preserve making do with 12 (or, should you’re fortunate, 50 megapixels) till high-res sensors trickle on right down to the essential flagships.