Japan-based technology giant Sony introduced the newest smartphone sensor IMX989 at an event it organized. According to the statements made by the company, the IMX989 is the first 1-inch smartphone camera sensor. This size means smartphones using the IMX989 can offer the best low-light performance ever. However, it should be noted that the hardware alone does not work, and the software is also very important. So why did we make such a reminder?
According to the statements made by Sony, IMX989 will be used for the first time in the Xiaomi 12S series and will be released in the coming months. The important point here is that this sensor is a first for the industry. For example, the largest camera sensor Samsung has ever released was the 0.89-inch ISOCELL GN2. The Sony IMX989 will technically outperform ISOCELL GN2. This is where the software comes into play. If Xiaomi can bring its software business to the level it wants, the performance of this camera sensor will be truly understood. Otherwise, ISOCELL GN2 offers much better images than IMX989.
15 million dollars spent on Sony IMX989!
As a matter of fact, some of Sony’s smartphones have already used 1-inch size camera sensors. However, these sensors were not developed for smartphones. The company had edited the sensors it developed for professional cameras and adapted them to smartphones. IMX989 is an industry developed directly for smartphones. In the statement made by Xiaomi and Sony, it was stated that 15 million dollars were spent for this sensor.
According to the statements made by Xiaomi, the light performance of the 12S Ultra, where IMX989 will be used, is 76 percent better than the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Moreover, the company will use a special lens coating on this smartphone. The light transmittance of the coating, called Summicron, was announced as 93 percent. The light reflection rate of the coating is 2 per thousand.
Sony IMX989 compared to sensors used by other companies
In the photo above, you see the dimensions of some smartphone camera sensors on the market. Here; The size of the camera sensor of the iPhone 13 Pro Max is stated as 0.6 inches. The sensor to be used in the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is directly 1 inch. So the difference is almost double.
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