No 108 MP sensor for the Galaxy S20 and S20+ but they still get a new, impressive 12 MP camera

Samsung will unveil its Galaxy S20 series next month. The phones have been massively touted for their potential camera prowess, with the S20 Ultra, in particular, set to debut a new, powerful 108 MP. That sensor will be exclusive to the S20 Ultra, which appeared to leave the S20 and S20+ in the lurch. Thankfully, there's good news.

According to popular leakster Ice Universe, while the S20 and S20+ will not sport that massive 1/1.3" 108 MP sensor, the phones will still feature new camera hardware. The S20 and S20+ will apparently have a 12 MP main sensor. That's the same resolution as the sensors on previous Galaxy flagships, but there's a major difference. The new 12 MP sensor will have a pixel size of 1.8μm.

For some perspective, the regular 12 MP sensors favored by Google, Samsung, Apple, and LG have a 1.4μm pixel size. Even the 48 MP and 64 MP sensors that became popular last year only managed to achieve a 1.6μm pixel size using quad-bayer technology. This new sensor outperforms those, without resorting to any pixel-merging technique and the disadvantage it could introduce.

It doesn't quite have the marketing impact a 108 MP sensor offers, but this new sensor outperforms most of the competition. Some quick math gives a sensor size in the region of 1/1.8", which is a lot bigger than the 1/2.55" sensors on the S10 and Note 10 phones. About twice the size, to be exact. This is a tangible improvement in hardware, regardless of the unchanged resolution.