@UniverseIce has expanded upon their claims that the Galaxy S22 Ultra will feature a superior ISOCELL HM3 camera than its predecessor. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, briefly thought of as the Galaxy S22 Note, is expected to launch in early February 2022. However, Samsung may not begin selling any of the Galaxy S22 series until the final few days of that month.
Writing on Twitter, @UniverseIce explains that the Galaxy S22 Ultra's improvements compared to its predecessor are mainly software-based. As the embedded tweet below reads, @UniverseIce believes that the Galaxy S22 Ultra's superior camera performance is 70% to do with software and 30% with improved hardware.
AI can be seen everywhere in Galaxy S22 ultra camera. It can be said that the improvement of S22 ultra camera depends on 30% further improvement of hardware and 70% optimization of software. You can see traces of AI participation everywhere.
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) December 23, 2021
For example, @UniverseIce claims that Samsung has included a special AI mode when shooting in 108 MP. By default, the Galaxy S22 Ultra will use pixel binning to reduce the ISOCELL HM3's output from 108 MP to 12 MP, thereby artificially creating larger pixels. Supposedly, Samsung's new AI mode will enhance details, with more impressive contrast, colours and details than using the standard 108 MP mode.
Presumably, the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 has allowed Samsung to integrate this feature within the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Samsung is yet to announce the Exynos 2200, although we suspect that the SoC will also feature an improved NPU compared to the Exynos 2100. For reference, the Galaxy S22 Ultra will be the only device in the Galaxy S22 series that will have a 108 MP camera.
In the 108MP mode of S22 ultra, a new button appears in the lower right corner of the page, which is the AI detail enhancement button. After opening it, your photos have more details, colors and brightness than ordinary 108MP. pic.twitter.com/QAhJTbUa36
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) December 23, 2021