Samsung launches world's first 1.0 μm-pixel, 16MP image sensor

For the time being, smartphones and phablets cannot be thinner because the camera technology used has its limitations. Fortunately, things are about to change soon, thanks to Samsung's new image sensor. Dubbed S5K3P3, this is the industry's first 1.0 μm-pixel-based 16 MP CMOS image sensor to enter mass production and it will soon be used in high-end handsets.

According to Kyushik Hong, Samsung's Vice President and Head of S.LSI Marketing, "As a trendsetter in the mobile image sensor business, we are pleased to be the first to deliver the most advanced 1.0μm-pixel imager, which meets both high-resolution and slim design requirements for smartphone cameras."

The Samsung Tomorrow blog post that brings the news reveals a few interesting figures - compared to existing 1.12 2μm-pixel based 16 MP modules, S5K3P3 is 20 percent thinner, but thanks to Samsung's ISOCELL technology, is still capable of offering the same image quality.

The Samsung S5K3P3 is already available for mobile device manufacturers and first devices to use it might hit the market pretty soon.