Earlier this month, Samsung announced a 64-megapixel ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor with the ‘industry’s highest resolution.’ So far, many Android vendors have launched phones with a 48-megapixel camera, using Sony’s IMX586 sensor or Samsung’s GM1 sensor. The device getting Samsung’s new ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor will be the world’s first smartphone with a 64MP lens. A new report coming out of South Korea suggests that Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy A70S will be equipped with the Bright GW1 sensor.
The 64MP sensor enters mass production
The launch of Samsung’s 64MP sensor instantly sparked speculations that the upcoming flagship Galaxy Note 10 would get the new lens. It would help the Note 10 better compete with devices from Huawei, Xioami, and OnePlus, which have been pushing the limits of smartphone photography. However, reliable tipster Ice Universe said in a tweet that the Note 10 won’t get the 64MP sensor.
To be sure, Samsung Note10 will not use 64MP CMOS
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) May 9, 2019
Samsung has traditionally introduced new features to its mid-range smartphones first before bringing them to the premium models. For instance, the mid-range Galaxy A7 handsets were the first Samsung phones to get the triple camera setup. The Korean company introduced quad camera setup on the Galaxy A9 first. Something similar is going to happen with the 64MP lens. The sensor has already entered mass production.
Galaxy A70S to sport a 64MP lens
Sources familiar with the matter told ETNews that the Galaxy A70S will be the world’s first phone with the 64MP sensor. The Galaxy A70 is only a few months old, and has tasted success in countries like India. The A70S is already in the works. It is expected to arrive in the second half of the year. It’s unclear whether the A70S will be a minor upgrade or a full-fledged successor to the Galaxy A70. Not much is known about its other specifications.
The Korean publication confirmed that the Galaxy Note 10 would launch without the 64MP sensor. Next year’s Galaxy S11 series could be the first premium phone to feature the ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor. The new 64MP sensor could help Samsung better compete with Chinese rivals like Huawei, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi.
The 64MP ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor has the same 0.8μm pixel size as the current 48MP sensors. It will offer a higher resolution than any smartphone camera in the market. It is capable of capturing more light than other sensors.
The sensor uses Samsung’s pixel-merging Tetracell technology to produce 16MP pictures in low-light conditions by merging four pixels into one. It works similar to how 48MP sensors produce 12MP images in low-light. In bright light conditions, it produces detailed 64MP photos with “color filter descrambling.”
The ISOCELL Bright GW1 sensor supports real-time high dynamic range of up to 100 decibels (dB), giving “richer hues.” To give you some perspective, the human eye has a dynamic range of 120dB while traditional camera sensors offer a dynamic range of up to 60 dB. The sensor is also capable of recording 480fps slow-motion videos at Full HD resolution.
Galaxy Note 10 will also launch in a few months
Samsung hasn’t yet revealed when it would launch the Galaxy A70S. Samsung fans are eagerly looking forward to the next-gen flagship Galaxy Note 10. According to the rumor mill, the Korean company would launch the Note 10 in two different sizes: a standard Note 10 with a 6.28-inch display and a more expensive Note 10 Pro with a 6.75-inch display. There will be 5G variants of each, meaning Samsung will launch four different versions of the Note 10.
The Note 10 series will continue to use the hole-punch Infinity-O display that Samsung introduced with the Galaxy S10 series. The Note 10 Pro is rumored to pack a 4,500mAh battery with fast charging. The Note devices would support wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare, allowing you to charge compatible devices and other accessories by putting them on the back of the phone.
The standard Note 10 and its 5G version would include triple cameras on the back. The Pro variant and its 5G model would come with four rear cameras similar to the Galaxy S10 5G. According to Korean site ETNews, Samsung could ditch the physical buttons with the Note 10 series. If it happens, the devices would rely on gestures and touch-based inputs for controls and navigation.
