A new sensor could significantly improve the Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera, and it may appear in other phones as well.
The new 200MP Sony sensor may challenge Samsung’s best camera hardware.
This would give Sony a chance to rival Samsung’s top camera sensor. Samsung's ISOCELL HP2, a 200 MP sensor used in the Galaxy S25 Ultra's primary camera, is 1/1.3-inches in size and came out in 2023.
Despite the impressive specifications, it is not known which devices will use Sony’s new sensor. Conflicting reports suggest the Xiaomi 16 Ultra is unlikely to include the IMX09E. The Vivo X300 Ultra is expected to have two 200MP cameras, but it is not confirmed if any will use a Sony sensor. The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is the most probable candidate to feature it for its 200MP camera.
Recently, there was speculation that the iPhone 18 could have a 200MP camera. Apple has typically used Sony sensors, but according to one report, next year’s iPhone will use a Samsung sensor. If this is correct, Sony could fall behind its primary competitor in camera technology.
While the pixel count of a smartphone camera is not always important, this sensor's specifications are interesting. A bigger sensor and better sensitivity can improve nighttime photography, but only if paired with good software.
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