Samsung ISOCELL Bright HM1 Detailed Evolution

Samsung ISOCELL Bright HM1 Introduction

Samsung Electronics, today introduced its next-generation 108-megapixel image sensor, the Samsung ISOCELL Bright HM1 for Samsung’s latest S20 Ultra mobile phone. The new generation of sensors improves the pixel integration technology, which synthesizes 2.4μm large pixels through Nonacell 9-in-1 pixels to increase the amount of incoming light.

With a spectrum of light-enhancing technologies spanning from Nonacell and Smart-ISO to real-time HDR, ISOCELL Bright HM1 allows brighter and more detailed 108Mp photographs and crystal-clear 8K videos at 24 frames per second (fps), even under extreme lighting conditions.

Samsung Electronics calls ISOCELL Bright HM1 the new generation of 108M pixel image sensor, which can make the picture brighter under low light conditions.

Bright HM1 uses a new generation of Nonacell technology, which is a pixel binning technology, which can synthesize nine adjacent 0.8μm pixels to simulate a large 2.4μm pixel to improve brightness. In 2017, Samsung launched Tetracell technology, which supports the integration of four adjacent pixels. Nonacell is an enhanced version of Tetracell. Previously, the HMX sensor used by Xiaomi CC9 Pro supported four pixels in one and was able to synthesize 1.6μm large pixels.

Samsung Electronics said that as the number of neighboring pixels increases, 9-in1, color interference will also increase, so pixel merging is more challenging. However, Samsung uses ISOCELL Plus technology, which replaces the metal barrier with a new material to reduce interference and minimize light loss and reflection.

In order to take good photos in any light, the Samsung ISOCELL Bright HM1 also adds several pixel technologies. Smart-ISO technology can intelligently adjust ISO. High ISO is used in low light environment, and low ISO is used in brighter environment to control saturation. Real-time HDR technology can optimize exposure in complex environments, and it feels similar to Apple’s Smart HDR. In addition, the HM1 supports EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) and Super-PD phase detection technology to achieve fast autofocus.

In addition, the HM1 supports 3x lossless zoom. And 108 megapixels is enough to generate 3x zoom photos at 12Mp resolution.

In terms of other hardware, the HM1 is 1/1.33 inches in size and has 108 megapixel’s 0.8μm pixels. These two points are the same as the previous HMX used by Xiaomi CC9 Pro.

Samsung Electronics said that the ISOCELL Bright HM1 is currently in mass production.