Samsung launches the ISOCELL HP3 as its latest and most advanced 200MP mobile image sensor

The world has yet to see its first 200MP smartphone; however, it has another 200MP image sensor today (June 23, 2022). The ISOCELL HP3 has a 1/1.4” footprint and is based on pixels that, at 0.56 microns (μm), are 12% smaller for those of its predecessor.

These ultra-tiny pixels enact Samsung's latest Tetra²pixel technology, in that they can be binned or group together as one in 'squares' of up to 16 (for a 2.24μm virtual super-pixel) for images of 12.5MP in resolution touted to offer improved low-light performance.

The ISOCELL HP3 also comes with Super QPD, which means that every single individual pixel supports auto-focus, although 4 of them can combine to make a phase-detection module in the vertical and the horizontal. Samsung asserts that this development will lead to focus with increased speed and accuracy.

The world's latest 200MP sensor also has the latest version of Samsung Smart-ISO Pro, which imparts the ability to select Low, Mid and High ISO as opposed to Low or High as usual. This is touted to confer dynamic range gains, and also lets the HP3 support 4 trillion colors at a 14-bit color depth, whereas the HP1 has 68 billion (or 12-bit) colors.

In more general terms, the ISOCELL HP3 is rated for 8K recording at as little as 30 fps) or 4K at up to 120fps. Samsung asserts that it can bring "movie-like cinematic footage" to the next-gen phones that will rock the new sensor.