Samsung has announced a new technology for the cameras that are integrated into some of its mobile devices. The name of this one is BRITECELL (which as you can see has a lot to do with the already known ISOCELL) and everything indicates that the first model that will integrate a compatible component will be the Samsung Galaxy S7, the next flagship of the Korean manufacturer.
The announcement was made at the Samsung Electronics Investors Forum conference by the head of Samsung LSI, Kyushik HongThis manager has been in charge of announcing the arrival of the new technology BRITECEL to the cameras manufactured by the company, which additionally denies some rumors that suggested that this manufacturer could leave said market and the corresponding development of sensors. Thus, the Samsung Galaxy S7 would integrate a model of own manufacture.
With this new work, which would be one of the great novelties of the Samsung Galaxy S7, what is sought is to enhance the quality of the shots that are made with the new device. And, especially, those that are made in low light conditionsThis is because, as Hong has announced, the big news is that the capture Improved thanks to the increased sensitivity offered by BRITECELL, superior to many elements on the market. Furthermore, the improved results require less use of color additives, which allows a much more achieved realism in the resulting photographs.
What BRITECELL offers compared to ISOCELL
According to the documentation shared at the event, BRITECELL introduces a pixel pattern alternative on the sensor: green pixels are replaced by white pixels to capture more light, and the greens are obtained through a special filter. This RGBW/WRGB approach reduces the dependence on more complex filters that subtract light and helps to reduce noise and halos in difficult scenes.
It is curious that, although the sensor uses photodiodes of a small size (around 1,0 um), Samsung claims it is able to maintain the performance of sensors with 1,12 um per pixel, a figure used in recent generations. In some configurations, the target resolution used for BRITECELL is 16 megapixels, although the platform allows scaling and the possibility of configuring up to 20 MP has been mentioned.
What is the goal of this approach? Minimal modules that allow for the creation of mobile devices. ThinnerThe size of the set that houses the camera can be reduce up to 17%, which contributes to the end of the usual "hump" of phones. This fits with Samsung's tendency to design slim handsets without sacrificing the photographic experience.
In addition to the sensor architecture, BRITECELL relies on two key technologies: SmartWDR y PDAF. Smart WDR plays with multiple exposures of the same shot to balance light and shadow, improving dynamic range with an effect similar to HDR but finer. Meanwhile, phase detection focusing (Phase Detection Auto Focus) speeds up focusing and makes it more precise, even with moving subjects.
Additional enhancements
Thanks to this new development, the dimensions of sensors using the new technology can be reduced by up to 17% (maintaining the 1,12 microns currently used for each pixel). This would result in the end of the usual "hump" that the cameras built into the Korean company's phones have. Thus, Samsung Galaxy S7 will have a much more attractive appearance, as it would be more uniform. Other details that have been indicated about the new technology is that it will have the help of SmartWDR, which improves the exposure of images; and, also, of Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF), thus achieving a faster detection and precise shots.
At the moment the new technology, which points to what will be the starting point in the Samsung Galaxy S7 (nothing has been indicated about the resolution, but everything seems to indicate that it could rise to 20 megapixels), it does not seem that it will be the one that will arrive with sensors 1 / 2 inches, so that for these to be a reality we will have to wait for something more. The fact is that it seems that the bet The push to enhance the photography section of this manufacturer's new high-end phone is clear, seeking to be the best device on the market in its generation. Do you think it will achieve this?
Resolution, sensor size and alternatives under consideration
Industry leaks and analyses have described several scenarios. On the one hand, there are hints of a BRITECELL sensor 16 SM with pixels of 1,0 um, aimed at minimizing the module and gaining light with the matrix RWBOn the other hand, there has been talk of a sensor of its own 1/2” and 12 MP with larger pixels to prioritize light capture, as well as the possibility that Samsung will use a sensor Sony Exmor (IMX300) 23–25 MP with 192-point hybrid focus and focusing times around 0,03 sThese lines are not exclusive: they could correspond to different families or prototypes evaluated in parallel.
BRITECELL's own documentation suggests that this path does not match the sensor. 1 / 2 " of a large photodiode that was also rumored, so it is reasonable to think that Samsung will keep several ways development. In any case, BRITECELL's philosophy focuses on balancing module size, low light sensitivity and detail, relying on algorithms such as Smart WDR and PDAF to focus quickly.
Impact on the design of the Galaxy S7 and expected hardware
The emphasis on reducing the thickness of the photo module fits with a more uniform and with devices that aim to be extremely thin. Along with this, the Galaxy S7 is coming in two size versions, one standard and one small. greater diagonal which could be around 6 inches, in addition to an edition with curved screen on one of the sides.
In terms of performance, a configuration with different processors is expected depending on the market: Exynos 8890 of the house and Snapdragon 820 in another variant, both with notable improvements in efficiency and graphics. In memory, they are considering 4–6 GB of RAM, and in storage the alarm sounds loudly again microSD slot along with 32 and 64 GB options.
Other items that have been dropped include a USB Type C for charging and data, a higher capacity battery with fast charge, and a screen compatible with sensitivity to pressure (Clear Force) to expand the interaction. At the software level, the experience would run on Android with Samsung's usual camera optimizations, where BRITECELL would play a key role.
BRITECELL, with its combination of RWB architecture, Smart WDR and PDAF, targets the traditional weak points of mobile photography: night and interior scenes, motion blur and loss of detail in complex dynamic ranges. If this sensor eventually materializes in the Galaxy S7, we would be looking at an evolution that not only improves the image, but also helps achieve a slimmer design without sacrificing the photographic quality.
