Samsung Electronics boosts image sensor business amid signs of recovery

ISOCELL GN5, left, and ISOCELL HP1 [Courtesy of Samsung Electronics]

Samsung Electronics Co. is expanding its presence in the system semiconductor sector, venturing into automotive technology beyond smartphones, fueled by its anticipation of a industry rebound.

The expansion is propelled by its recently launched image sensor, ISOCELL GNK, which is expected to be integrated into global products, including Google LLC’s Pixel 8 Pro, scheduled for release next year.

The 50-million-sensor, featuring a pixel size of 1.2μm and a physical size of 1/1.3-inch, shares the fundamental framework with its predecessor, GN1, but stands out for its design that reduces power consumption compared to the previous model.

While the previous version required a 2.8V supply voltage for operation, the latest sensor operates at 2.2V. The introduction of a low-power image sensor improves the battery efficiency of finished products, such as smartphones.

It also employs self-developed dual-pixel pro autofocus technology, significantly reducing focus time by comparing phase differences in both vertical and horizontal directions. Previous dual-pixel products like GN1 only utilized the horizontal phase difference of the subject for autofocus, but the latest model utilizes both vertical and horizontal phase differences, enhancing autofocus performance.

Low-light shooting capabilities have also been enhanced. In dimly lit environments, adjacent four pixels are merged into larger 2.4-micrometer pixels to achieve higher sensitivity.

The South Korean electronics giant is enthusiastically engaged in developing a 200-million-pixel sensor for premium devices, including its flagship Galaxy S Ultra model.

Following the release of the world’s first 200-million-pixel mobile image sensor, ISOCELL HP1, in September 2021, Samsung introduced a 200-million-pixel image sensor, ISOCELL HP3, in June last year, featuring 0.56㎛-sized pixels, a 12 percent reduction in pixel size compared to those used in ISOCELL HP1.

Behind its move to bolster the image sensor lineup is the anticipated rebound in the smartphone market after a prolonged slump.

According to the market research firm IDC, global smartphone shipments are predicted to decline by 4.7 percent this year, reaching a ten-year low of 1.15 billion units, but they are expected to increase 4.5 percent next year.

Samsung Electronics is now expanding into the automotive electronics sector with its image sensor business.

The company has recently released ISOCELL Auto, an automotive image sensor, and ISOCELL Vision, a sensor that captures rapid movements of objects with pinpoint accuracy, showcasing advancements in their safe driving technology. ISOCELL Auto 1H1 can accurately recognize roads and objects in various driving environments and lighting conditions, as well as mitigate signal light flickering.

Its efforts to strengthen image technologies are not limited to hardware but also extend to enhancing software technology to maximize hardware features.

The recently unveiled ISOCELL Zoom Anyplace, an ultra-high-resolution special zoom technology based on the 200-million-pixel image sensor, allows capturing moving objects with up to four times closer shots without sacrificing image quality.

Samsung Electronics aims to bridge the gap with the leading player in the image sensor market, Sony Group Corp., through aggressive investments in image sensor technology.

According to the global technology market research firm Counterpoint Research, Sony accounted for 54 percent of the global image sensor market last year, up 5 percent from the previous year. Samsung Electronics took up 29 percent, down 1 percent from the previous year.

Samsung’s ultimate goal, however, goes beyond market share as it aims to create a “humanoid semiconductor” comparable to human perception.

“In terms of vision, we have already come close to human eyes, and we plan to develop cameras capable of capturing even the unseen by 2027,” said Park Yong-in, president of system large-scale integration (LSI) at Samsung Electronics.