The information that posted last September by leaker Ice Universe. Samsung already has two 200Mpix sensors. The one labeled HP1 already showed the year beforebut the first phones with it went on sale last year at the beginning of autumn. The second, labeled HP3, was introduced last summer and has not yet made its way into any device.
The novelty fits between the two previously presented Isocell sensors of the HP series, but technically it is probably the best, even if it is difficult to deduce from the basic parameters. But at least it can do faster continuous shooting. The difference is also that HP1 and HP2 are already commercially produced by Samsung’s semiconductor division, but not yet Isocell HP3. You can find the differences in the table.
We will find out quite soon how good the new chip will be. Samsung will install it on the top model S23 Ultra, the first outputs from the camera can be expected right after premieres on February 1. However, the difference compared to the HP1 should be more significant, because manufacturers fit it into phones on the border between the upper middle class and top models. However, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra aims significantly higher.
The chip has a 1/1.3″ format and the pixels are 0.6μm in size. The resolution is 200 Mpix, the current maximum, which is a dizzying 16,384 × 12,288 pixels. In full resolution, the sensor can take 15 pictures per second, which is double that of Samsung’s other two 200Mpix sensors.At 50Mpix resolution (which the sensor uses when combining four pixels), that’s 30 frames per second.
Of course, it can handle video in 8K at 30 frames per second, with 4K resolution it is 120 frames per second and in the case of FHD resolution it records 480 frames per second.
| Isocell HP1 | Isocell HP2 | Isocell HP3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distinction | 200 Mpix | 200 Mpix | 200 Mpix |
| Format | 1/1.22″ | 1/1.3″ | 1/1.4″ |
| Pixel size | 0,64μm | 0.6μm | 0,56μm |
| Capture speed 200 Mpix | 7,5 fps | 15 fps | 7,5 fps |
| Video max resolution | 8K (30 fps) | 8K (30 fps) | 8K (30 fps) |
| Exit | RAW 8 | RAW 10/12 | RAW 10/12/14 |
| Merging pixels | Tetra2pixel | Tetra2pixel | Tetra2pixel |
| Availability | From September 2022 | From February 2023 | Unknown |
Pixel merging is provided by Tetra2pixel technology. The sensor uses this in low light, then one merged pixel has a size of 1.2 μm (50 Mpix) or 2.4 μm when merging 16 pixels and a resolution of 12.5 Mpix. D-VTG (Dual Vertical Transfer Gate) technology prevents overexposure by allowing individual pixels to capture a third more light.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will probably be the only smartphone to get the chip so far. The second could be the foldable Z Fold 5, but it won’t see its premiere until the summer. And it is rather unlikely that Samsung would want to share this top sensor with the competition. For this he has a basic HP1.
