Samsung introduces the Galaxy S23 Ultra's 200MP camera sensor

On Tuesday Samsung introduced its third 200MP camera sensor, the ISOCELL HP2. The sensor features 200 million 0.6-micrometer (μm) pixels using a 1/1.3-inch optical format. This is a sensor size that is deployed in 108MP main smartphone cameras allowing users of high-end smartphones to have a high-resolution camera without having to deal with large camera bumps. The HP2 has already entered mass production

The sensor uses advanced pixel-binning technology called Tetra2pixel. This allows the sensor to change pixel sizes depending on the amount of light in the environment. Under low-light conditions, the sensor captures 50MP images at 1.2μm (4:1 pixel binning) or 12.5MP images at 2.4μm (16:1 pixel binning).

For video, Samsung adds, "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."

Samsung’s new Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D-VTG) technology will enhance color reproduction and reduce overexposure. As a result, you'll see fewer washed-out photographs snapped under bright lighting conditions.

Focusing in low-light environments will be vastly improved thanks to the HP2's Super QPD feature which uses all of the sensor's 200 million pixels as focusing agents. The result is faster and more accurate auto-focusing even in an environment without much light. Samsung explains that "The ample amount of focusing agents are grouped by four adjacent pixels to recognize both horizontal and vertical pattern changes." 

Sammy adds that "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." To improve HDR (High Dynamic Range) photos, the HP2 will use DSG (Dual Signal Gain) for the first time in 50MP mode. The Smart-ISO Pro feature will allow the camera to snap 12.5MP  images and 4K video at 60 frames per second in HDR.

JoonSeo Yim, Executive Vice President of the Sensor Business Team at Samsung Electronics, says, "The Samsung ISOCELL HP2 harnesses Samsung’s high-resolution image sensor technologies and know-how at the cutting edge for epic details. 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 Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the rest of the Galaxy S23 line will be unveiled during the next Samsung Unpacked event on February 1st. By the way, the ISOCELL HP1 200MP sensor is employed on the Motorola 30 Edge Ultra and the Xiaomi 12T Pro. The ISOCELL HP3, another 200MP image sensor from Samsung, was introduced last June.

Besides the 200MP primary camera on the Galaxy S23 Ultra, we expect the phone to sport a pair of 10MP telephoto cameras. One will have a 3x optical zoom while the other will deliver 10x optical zoom. There will be a 12MP ultra-wide camera and the front-facing selfie snapper will weigh in at 12MP.

The top-of-the-line model will feature a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 1440 x 3088 QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. An overclocked 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen2

SoC will be under the hood along with 12GB of memory and 256GB of storage. A 5000mAh battery keeps the lights on supporting 45W wired and 15W wireless fast charging. And Android 13 will be pre-installed.

If you want to watch the Samsung Unpacked event as it happens, you can view it on Samsung's YouTube channel, the Samsung Newsroom website, and the company's website. The festivities kick off at 10 am PST (U.S. West Coast) which is 1 pm EST (U.S. East Coast). That also works out to 6 pm in the U.K., 11:30 pm in India, and 2 am on February 2nd in China.