Samsung Electronics Minimizes Smartphone 'Katuk-Twi' Protrusion... Establishes 100MP 0.7μm Pixel Lineup

4 New Mobile Products Added to Chosohong Image
Sensor Size Reduced by 15%, Module Height Reduced by 10%

Samsung Electronics' smallest 0.7μm pixel mobile image sensor.

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Samsung Electronics has established the industry's first ultra-small image sensor lineup and is expanding its market presence.

On the 15th, Samsung Electronics announced the launch of four mobile image sensor products utilizing the smallest 0.7μm (micrometer, one-millionth of a meter) pixels. Ultra-small pixel image sensors are characterized by their ability to fit more pixels into limited space while enabling a slim design. This is expected to minimize the camera bump on the latest smartphones.

Previously, Samsung Electronics unveiled the industry's first 0.7μm pixel product last year, based on nanometer-scale ultra-fine process technology and development expertise. By adding these four new ultra-small products, Samsung has uniquely built a diverse product lineup based on 0.7μm pixels in the industry.

The new products include the first 0.7μm pixel 108-megapixel 'ISOCELL HM2', the 64-megapixel 'GW3' capable of 4K 60fps recording, the 48-megapixel 'GM5' supporting ultra-wide angle and folded zoom, and the ultra-small 32-megapixel 'JD1' optimized for bezel-less design.

Generally, as image sensor pixel size decreases, the light-receiving area reduces, lowering the quality of captured images. Therefore, reducing pixel size while enhancing performance has become a core technology.

Samsung Electronics improved the optical structure of pixels to realize high-quality images even with 0.7μm ultra-small image sensors. They applied Samsung's patented technology 'ISOCELL Plus', which uses new materials to minimize light loss and pixel interference. The smart-ISO technology, which automatically adjusts ISO values according to light levels to enhance color reproduction and minimize noise, is also incorporated.

Starting from the fourth quarter, advanced sensor technologies such as next-generation 'ISOCELL 2.0' and 'Staggered HDR' will be applied. 'ISOCELL 2.0' optimizes the barrier structure between color filters to minimize light loss and pixel interference. This technology can increase sensitivity by up to 12%, improving image quality even as pixels shrink.

Staggered HDR improves the way pixels are exposed to light, enhancing image processing speed while delivering high-quality images. When implementing a 108-megapixel product with 0.7μm pixels, the image sensor size can be reduced by up to 15% compared to using 0.8μm pixels. As the image sensor shrinks, the camera module height can also be lowered by up to 10%, reducing the camera height in smartphones.

Park Yong-in, Vice President and Head of the Sensor Business Team at Samsung Electronics' System LSI Business Division, said, "With this new product lineup, Samsung Electronics will expand the ultra-small, high-megapixel market and continue to develop sensor innovation technologies to break through limitations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.