As the Samsung Galaxy S7 launch approaches, rumors about its features and specs have intensified. Sources told Korean publication the Electronic Times that the device would arrive on January 19th, weeks earlier than Samsung’s usual release cycle. And now a new report coming out of China claims that Samsung is looking to incorporate the same camera sensor in Galaxy S7 that Sony uses in its flagship Xperia Z5.
Samsung negotiating a deal with Sony
Samsung’s next-gen phone was previously rumored to boast of a 20-megapixel ISOCELL main camera, a major upgrade from 16MP in Galaxy S6. According to a Weibo post (via Phone Arena), Samsung was so impressed by Sony’s IMX300 sensor that the Korean company wants to use it in Galaxy S7. Samsung is currently in talks with the Japanese company to strike a deal.
Phone Arena says Samsung may use Sony’s sensor in some versions while other variants will feature Samsung’s 20MP ISOCELL piece. IMX300 is the same sensor that Sony uses in its Xperia Z5 handsets, and occupies the top slot in mobile camera test rankings by DxOMark. However, Sony wants to keep its new sensor exclusive to the Xperia line.
IMX300 in Galaxy S7 could mint millions for Sony
Despite its reluctance, Sony may agree to the deal because the Galaxy S7 would sell in millions, making it a profitable proposition for both. Reports suggest that IMX300 is a 25MP sensor, but Samsung’s ISOCELL piece will be 20-megapixel. The Korean giant can’t advertise Galaxy S7 with both 20MP and 25MP, so will likely use compression methods to keep both versions at 20MP.
The IMX300 sensor offers the fastest autofocusing time of just 0.03 second. Meanwhile, Samsung also plans to use the ClearForce technology in Galaxy S7 to rival Apple’s 3D Touch in iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. The Korean company is working with Synaptics, the company behind ClearForce, to incorporate the pressure-sensitive touchscreen technology in Galaxy S7. Synaptics has more than 60 granted and pending patents related to the technology.
