Samsung’s forthcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra is tipped to receive a significant camera boost over the current Galaxy S24 Ultra, and now the company has announced three new camera sensors that should enhance image quality, zoom performance and power consumption in a variety of future smartphones, possibly including next year’s Galaxy S range.
The company’s recent product announcement unveiled three high-performance camera sensors packed with new technologies. Samsung claims these sensors will improve the quality of telephoto, ultrawide and selfie cameras, bringing them up to the same standard as the usually superior main rear cameras in high-end smartphones.
The sensors include Isocell HP9, the first 200-megapixel sensor designed for telephoto lenses and improved zoom performance; Isocell JN5, a 50-megapixel sensor intended to boost performance in smaller devices; and Isocell GNJ, a larger 50-megapixel sensor focusing on improved image quality and battery life in flagship devices.
Could These Sensors Appear In The Galaxy S25 Series?
Despite only now receiving an official announcement, the 200-megapixel Isocell HP9 is already in use in Vivo’s X100 Ultra flagship, which has received favorable reviews, especially for its exceptional zoom performance. However, the latest leaks do not mention a 200-megapixel upgrade to either of the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s telephoto cameras, so it seems unlikely that we’ll see this level of performance from next year’s Samsung flagship.
The Isocell GNJ, however, features a very similar specification to the 50-megapixel main cameras currently found in the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+, making it a candidate for the Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ next year. The Isocell GNJ is slightly larger, at 1/1.56” vs the 1/1.57” sensors of this year’s models, and offers improved image quality and better battery life (see below)
Samsung’s New Isocell HP9, GNJ and JN5 Sensors In Detail
Isocell HP9
Samsung has used a 200-megapixel primary camera as far back as the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but the new Isocell HP9 is the first at this resolution designed for use with a telephoto lens. Samsung promises excellent low-light performance for the sensor, thanks to a binned 12-megapixel mode and enhanced light-gathering capability by switching to a new highly-refractive microlens material. This should improve the quality of zoomed-in video when shooting in low-light situations.
Samsung claims Isocell HP9 will allow telephoto cameras to match the performance of main cameras in terms of image quality, autofocus, HDR, and capture speed. It also provides 2x and 4x digital zoom modes that allow for a hybrid zoom level of 12x when paired with a 3x optical telephoto lens.
The sensor comes in a 1/1.4-inch with 0.56-micrometer pixels or larger 2.24-micrometer superpixels when switched to 12-megapixel mode, allowing it to trade resolution for low-light performance as required.
Isocell GNJ
Isocell GNJ is a 50-megapixel sensor with in-sensor zoom that promises clearer video and fewer artifacts than previous generations. Samsung also claims it will offer better contrast and lower power consumption than earlier models, saving up to 29 percent in preview mode and 34 percent when shooting video at 4K 60fps. Camera technology isn’t often considered a critical factor in battery life, but if this sensor makes it into next year’s Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+, heavy camera users could see some tangible benefits.
Isocell JN5
Isocell JN5 is a smaller 50-megapixel sensor that deploys some advanced technologies to compensate for its reduced size. These include enhanced low-light quality, autofocus speed, dynamic range and shooting speed. Samsung expects Isocell JN5 to be deployed in many different types of smartphone cameras as it is suitable for use with primary, ultrawide, telephoto and front camera lenses.
You can read more about the new Isocell sensors on Samsung’s official landing page.
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