Sony is tipped to launch a new, nearly-1-inch camera sensor for smartphones

"Sony IMX" often comes up as a buzzword used by OEMs to boost the camera credentials of their latest flagship smartphones. It refers to the sensors developed specifically for mobile devices, which can indeed be of the more premium variety.

Despite the need to cram them into phone-shaped form-factors, Sony has managed to increase their footprint over the years, in a way typically touted to boost image quality due to the improved 'target area' for light to hit the CMOS in question.

Now, according to the prolific leaker Digital Chat Station, the Japanese electronics mainstay has made strides with one of its upcoming mobile sensors in this respect. While not quite at the level of the main shooter found in the company's own Xperia PRO-I, it may be nearly the same size at 1/1.1 inches.

The tipster did not put a name to the alleged new component in question, although it might be of the upcoming IMX 8xx series, which could supersede others such as those found in the new OPPO Find X5 Pro or Nubia Z40 Pro on their launch.