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Sony won’t introduce a 1-inch camera sensor to beat out Samsung on sensor-size for 2021 as previously expected. As noted by prominent tipster Ice Universe on Twitter, the Samsung sensor will arrive by the end of the month. Specifically, the ISOCELL GN2. And that’s going to leave Samsung leading the mobile camera pack if the recently-reported tip is accurate. At least as far as camera sensor size in a smartphone is concerned.
What’s changed here?
Sony is still undoubtedly going to be the de facto provider of smartphone cameras globally. And that’s regardless of the apparent delay to its 1-inch IMX800 sensor. The company has been in that position for quite some time and is still releasing other camera hardware. But the new hardware was expected to arrive first in the Huawei P50 series flagship.
Huawei is now rumored to be using a 1/1.18-inch IMX sensor that will be part of the IMX700 series. That’s as opposed to the Sony IMX800. But it isn’t immediately clear why that’s the case.
Conversely, Xiaomi is going to release a phone at the end of March. Reports have suggested that it could be the company’s Mi 11 Ultra flagship. And others in the series may be shown off too. That phone will reportedly pack Samsung’s new 1/1.28-inch, 1.4μm-pixel size, 50-megapixel snapper.
What difference does it make if Samsung leads Sony on camera sensor size?
Of course, sensor size isn’t everything by any stretch of the imagination. The Sony 1/1.18-inch sensor will undoubtedly improve Huawei’s cameras. But it is still possible that could result in Xiaomi touting the better camera this year. Essentially knocking the other Chinese tech giant from its long-held throne when it comes to camera hardware in its phones.
Samsung ISOCELL GN2 will be the largest mobile phone sensor in 2021, which will bring an unprecedented experience, waiting for the Xiaomi phone at the end of the month.
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) March 19, 2021