OmniVision, GalaxyCore, Samsung and Sony: Whose Sensor in Smartphones Is Better

1. OmniVision

The American-Taiwanese company OmniVision has been around since 1999. It gained experience thanks to acquiring Kodak's patent pool in 2011. Initially, the manufacturer specialized mainly in small matrices for front-facing cameras—the first iPhones were equipped with OmniVision sensors in their selfie cameras. However, when Apple chose other matrix manufacturers, the company expanded its range to include large sensors for rear cameras. They are even found in top smartphone models.

OV50X — a large 1-inch image sensor expected closer to the end of 2025. Matrices of this size are installed in many digital cameras with non-interchangeable optics. The sensor resolution is 50 MP, with individual pixel size being 1.60 µm. Four pixels can be combined into one to create quality 12.5-megapixel images in low-light conditions. The manufacturer claims that the OV50X matrix will provide a superior dynamic range and improved autofocus. It is expected in smartphones based on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 2 chipset.

OV50H — also a rather large 50-megapixel sensor with physical dimensions of 1/1.28" and a pixel caliber of 1.20 µm. Released in 2023, it is intended for the main cameras of serious smartphones. Potentially, the sensor supports 8K video shooting at 30 fps and 4K format at up to 120 fps. The matrix has built-in Quad Phase Detection autofocus sensors that help focus quickly and accurately even in the dark.

OV50D — a more compact version of the 50-megapixel sensor aimed at relatively affordable smartphones. The matrix can be used as the main image sensor or in the ultra-wide module. Its physical dimensions are 1/2.88" with a pixel caliber of 0.61 µm.

OV50E — a 50 MP sensor of significant medium class. Released in 2022, it is still installed in mid-range smartphones today. The sensor has quite large dimensions of 1/1.55" with individual pixels of 1 µm. The matrix is used in the leading camera modules of mobile devices.

OVH9000 — OmniVision's flagship image sensor found in some top-tier smartphones. Its debut occurred in 2023. The sensor sizes are large—1/1.30". The smartphone Honor Magic 7 Pro with a rear camera based on this matrix can even boast a variable aperture of f/1.4-2.0.

OV20B — this sensor is often found in front-facing cameras of mid-range smartphones. The matrix resolution is 20 MP, with a physical size of 1/4.00".

2. GalaxyCore

GalaxyCore is a company from Shanghai, operating since 2003. The vast majority of their matrices are used in selfie cameras of smartphones. Sensors from GalaxyCore are less often found in main cameras. These are predominantly affordable mobile devices with low-resolution camera modules. For front cameras, the most commonly used matrices are:

GC16B3 — a small 16-megapixel image sensor (1/3.10”). Typically, it is equipped with a fixed focus, suitable for taking selfies and making video calls.

GC32E1 — a sensor with similar physical dimensions (1/3.10”) but doubled resolution (32 MP). Accordingly, the individual pixels here are quite small (0.70 µm).

3. Samsung ISOCELL

The South Korean company Samsung needs no introduction. Its factories produce a wide range of products, including photo matrices for mobile devices. Initially, Samsung ISOCELL image sensors were exclusively for its Galaxy series smartphones. However, the manufacturer now sets trends for high-quality matrices with ultra-high resolution (up to 200 MP).

HP2 — a large 200-megapixel sensor, providing a maximum image resolution of 16384x12288 pixels. The matrix has been produced since 2023 and is exclusively found in flagship smartphones of the Samsung Galaxy S line. The sensor is 1/1.3” in size with 0.60 µm pixels. To cope with poor lighting conditions, pixels can be combined into groups of 4 or even 16, using the Tetra2pixel binning technology. As a result, 50 MP photos (1.2 µm pixel size) or 12.5 MP images (2.4 µm pixel size) can be taken. The sensor employs the Super QPD phase detection system, and its video capabilities enable 8K HDR video recording at 30 fps.

HP3 — 200 megapixels for the masses. Compared to the HP2 sensor, this matrix is slightly smaller (1/1.40”). Consequently, individual pixels in it are also smaller—0.56 µm. The sensor is intended for use in compact smartphones with photographic ambitions. It supports Tetra Pixel adjacent pixel merging technology (in groups of 4 and 16), is equipped with a Super QPD autofocus system, and can combine frame data with different sensitivities for low-noise images (Smart-ISO Pro technology).

HM6 — a 108 MP sensor with an optical format of 1/1.67” and pixel size of 0.64 µm. By combining 9 pixels into one, the total size of the photosensitive cell can be increased to 1.92 µm. The maximum size of the resulting images can be up to 12000x9000 pixels. Video is recorded on this matrix at up to 8K resolution at 24 fps or up to 120 fps in 4K. Samsung ISOCELL HM6 is one of the most compact matrices among all sensors of this resolution.

JN1 — a compact 50-megapixel sensor for the main camera module of affordable smartphones. At the same time, the matrix is often used as a wide-angle image sensor. The size of the JN1 is small—1/2.76”. As a result, pixels in the matrix are also modest (0.64 µm). However, they can group 4 into one "superpixel" with a caliber of 1.28 μm. The sensor supports proprietary Smart ISO and Double Super PDAF technologies.

GN3 — a moderately large 50 MP matrix with an optical format of 1/1.57” and 1 µm pixels. It is used in the main cameras of flagship mobile devices Samsung—particularly, the GN3 sensor can be found on the latest generations of flip smartphones from the South Korean manufacturer.

GNK — an upgrade of the once-popular Samsung ISOCELL HP1 matrix with the same large physical dimensions of 1/1.30” and pixel caliber of 1.2 µm. The sensor features an advanced Dual Pixel Pro autofocus system and can record video up to 8K resolution at 30 fps. The matrix can be found in the flagship camera modules of top camera phones Google Pixel.

HP9 — the first ultra-high-resolution 200 MP matrix released specifically for use with telephoto lenses in smartphones. The sensor has an optical format of 1/1.40” with 0.56 µm pixel sizes. The image sensor's micro-lenses direct light to the appropriate RGB filters, resulting in an approximately 12% increase in light sensitivity. In low-light conditions, matrix pixels can group up to 16 (2.24 µm), ensuring high image quality.

3K1 — a 10 MP sensor for telephoto cameras. The distinguishing feature of this matrix is its compact size, dictated by the optical format of 1/3.94”. As a result, the image sensor occupies minimal space within a smartphone.

JN5 — a small sensor with dimensions of 1/2.74” and pixels of 0.64 µm. The sensor resolution is 50 MP. The matrix is used in telephotos and wide-angle camera modules. It is also found in front-facing cameras. A notable feature of the sensor is Dual VTG technology, aimed at reducing noise in low-light conditions.

4. Sony EXMOR

Japanese company Sony is the largest producer of top-tier image sensors on a global scale. These sensors are used both for "adult" cameras with interchangeable optics and smartphones. The manufacturer does not chase record-breaking megapixel numbers but successfully transfers its proprietary developments from cameras to mobile devices. Sony EXMOR matrices are used extensively in flagship smartphones. Generally, image sensors in this lineup are marked by series—the higher the first digit, the more elite the matrix.

IMX803 — a 48 MP sensor for "iPhones" in the Pro series (from the 14th model onward). It's rather a large matrix with an optical format of 1/1.3" and large pixels of 1.22 µm. In binning, pixels combine in groups of 4, reaching a size of 2.44 µm. iPhone cameras need no introduction—it's well-known that, in terms of photo and video shooting, they are among the best solutions on the mobile device market.

IMX882 — a sensor of medium size (1/1.95"), with a resolution capability of 50 MP. It's used in a wide range of mid-range smartphones. It is used as the leading sensor of the main camera, less often as a telephoto.

IMX906 — quite a serious matrix for top-level camera phones. Its resolution is standard (50 MP), the physical size is 1/1.56", and individual pixels have a caliber of exactly 1 µm. Frequently, the sensor serves as the main one, but in the smartphone Sony Xperia 1 VII it was used for the wide-angle camera module.

IMX989 — the largest matrix in Sony's portfolio, in the inch format. That is, the physical size of the sensor is 1”. The matrix has a pixel size of 1.60 μm. The giant pixels capture the maximum light, resulting in sharper photos. The direct competitor to the Sony IMX989 will potentially be the yet-to-be-released OmniVision OV50X sensor.

IMX854 — this sensor is used in telephoto cameras of flagship Samsung Galaxy S smartphones from the Ultra series. It has a 50 MP resolution, physical dimensions of 1/2.52”, pixel sizes from 0.7 to 1.4 µm (the indicator varies depending on whether the pixels are grouped or not).

IMX858 — an improved edition of the 50-megapixel matrix for telephoto lenses with enhanced HDR algorithms and an All-Pixel AF autofocus technology (each sensor pixel is used for fast and accurate focus).

5. Sony LYTIA

At the end of 2022, Sony unveiled the new LYTIA family of image sensors for mobile photography. The series is only beginning to fill with new products, and its highlights include natural HDR shooting and fast, accurate full-matrix autofocus.

LYT700(C) — a sensor for thin mid-range smartphones, with physical dimensions of 1/1.56”. Essentially, it's an improved modification of the "people's" matrix Sony IMX890. The matrix resolution is 50 MP, with a pixel size of 1 µm.

LYT900 — a rebranded version of the iconic 1-inch Sony IMX989 image sensor. Their parameters are similar: 50 MP resolution, an optical format of 1”, and pixel size of 1.60 µm. Notably, the LYT900 matrix is installed in smartphones with the Ultra label.

LYT600 — a small 1/1.95” sensor with a resolution capability of 50 MP and pixels of 0.80 µm. Positioned as an optimal solution for affordable mid-range smartphones. It is also found in wide-angle camera modules and telephotos of advanced mobile devices.

6. Conclusion

Image sensors indeed play a crucial role in achieving quality results in smartphone photography and videography. With each new generation, they become larger and incorporate more technological "features" that previously seemed impossible in "hardware." However, a cool matrix in a smartphone must be complemented by advanced image-processing algorithms—only in such synergy can the maximum be squeezed from a mobile device's camera.