Last September, Samsung debuted the first 200 Megapixel sensor for smartphones. This is the ISOCELL HP1 model destined to carve out a prominent space on the market, equipping various camera phones in the near future. For the moment, more than six months after its debut, Samsung’s photosensor is still awaiting its commercial debut.
In these hours, however, the first confirmations arrive regarding one of the first smartphones that could integrate the new ISOCELL HP1. Unlike what was previously assumed, the project in question will not be a Samsung Galaxy. Here are the details:
Is Samsung’s new 200 Megapixel ISOCELL HP1 coming to a Motorola smartphone?
The first OEM to use Samsung’s new 200 Megapixel sensor and ISOCELL HP1 could be Motorola. The confirmation comes from a leak that appeared on the Chinese social media Weibo and was subsequently also reported on Twitter. The leak in question shows us a photo of the prototype of a still unannounced Motorola Frontier. The project in question shows, next to the photographic module, the acronym HP1 which represents a clear reference to the new Samsung sensor.
For the moment, there are no confirmations regarding Motorola’s new smartphone. The project may already be in an advanced stage of development with an official presentation that could take place as early as the first half of 2022. Note that the photo of the prototype shown below also shows indications related to the presence of the OIS stabilization and the opening f /2.2. The Motorola Frontier project has already been anticipated by some rumors last January.
Will Samsung use its sensor?
For the moment, no rumors have emerged regarding the creation of Samsung Galaxy smartphones with the new 200 Megapixel ISOCELL HP1 sensor. Over the next few months, however, the Korean house could decide to integrate its new sensor into one of the new tops of the range with folding displays arriving in the second half of the year. It is also possible to launch one or more Galaxy S or Galaxy A smartphones with the new ISOCELL HP1 in the course of 2023. Recall that the recent Galaxy S22 Ultra stops at 108 Megapixels.
Much will depend on the type of supply agreement made between Samsung and Motorola. The Motorola brand, owned by Lenovo, may have entered into an exclusive supply agreement for the 200 Megapixel sensor (with the aim of making the most of both the sensor itself and its marketing potential linked to the exaggerated number of Megapixels). For the first months or even for all of 2022, therefore, the new ISOCELL HP1 could be offered exclusively by Motorola. We will know more, for sure, over the next few weeks.
The characteristics of the new ISOCELL HP1 from Samsung
The debut of Samsung’s ISOCELL HP1 sensor took place last September. The sensor in question is the first that manages to achieve such a high resolution. This milestone was achieved thanks to 0.64 μm large pixels that made it possible to miniaturize the sensor, adapting it to the limited spaces of smartphones. Furthermore, Samsung’s 200 Megapixel sensor integrates Chameleon Cel l pixel binning technology capable of choosing the most suitable layout (2 by 2, 4 by 4, full pixel) based on the conditions of the moment.
It should also be noted that the new ISOCELL HP1 sensor will be able to offer 8K video recording at 30 fps by combining four pixels into one to reach a resolution of 7,680 x 4,320 pixels. It will be necessary to wait for the first field tests and the way in which the various OEMs, or Samsung itself, will implement this new photo sensor on their products to evaluate its capabilities. The new Motorola Frontier could be a good testbed for the sensor.