What should the Pixel 6 use?

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Samsung announced the Isocell GN1 50MP last year, which stands out from its 108MP sensors. The GN1’s lower resolution was offset by its much larger pixels, allowing significant improvements for low-light capture on paper.

Now Samsung has announced a successor to the Isocell GN1, called the Isocell GN2. This is also a 50 MP sensor, but it offers a larger sensor size (1 / 1.12 inch) and larger pixels (1.4 microns) than its predecessor. The pixel size in particular is remarkable, as it is the same size as the IMX363 sensor used in most of Google’s Pixel phones.

A larger pixel size translates to better image quality when the sun goes down, so we can’t wait to see standard images from the new sensor. In any case, the Isocell GN2 is also capable of using four-in-one pixel binning to deliver images roughly comparable to a 12.5 MP camera at 2.8 micron pixels.

The improvements don’t end there either, as Samsung says the Isocell GN2 is its first sensor to offer Dual Pixel Pro technology. This is an improved version of phase detection autofocus, which sees two photodiodes in each pixel used for faster autofocus. But the improved technology also allows “focus in any direction” due to the fact that the pixels can be divided vertically or diagonally. Samsung says the diagonal approach allows “focus agents” to better recognize the top and bottom of a frame.

	Samsung Isocell GN2	Samsung Isocell GN1	Samsung Isocell Bright HM3
Resolution	50MP	50MP	108 MP
Sensor size	1 / 1.12 inches	1 / 1.31 inches	1 / 1.33 inches
Pixel size	1.4 microns	1.2 microns	0.8 microns
Pixel-binning	12.5 MP 2.8 microns (four in one binning)	12.5 MP 2.4 microns (four in one binning)	12MP 2.4 micron (non-binning)
Video	8K / 24fps 4K / 120 fps FHD / 480 fps	8K / 30fps 4K / 120 fps FHD / 400 fps	8K / 30fps 4K / 120 fps FHD / 240 fps

Samsung’s latest 50MP camera sensor also brings stepped HDR functionality, which the Isocell GN1 lacked. It looks like traditional HDR technology, as the sensor captures short, medium and long exposures. But this approach is claimed to offer 24% lower power consumption compared to the real-time HDR seen on the previous sensor.

The previous sensor and the new sensor both feature Smart ISO technology, which intelligently chooses the best ISO for a scene. But the Samsung Isocell GN2 also brings Smart ISO Pro functionality, so how does that differ?

“Unlike Smart ISO, which uses reads from a single ISO per frame, Smart ISO Pro, which uses an intra-stage double conversion gain (iDCG) solution, takes reads both from ISO high and low to instantly create high dynamic range images with less motion artifacts, ”Samsung explained in an email press release. He adds that Smart ISO Pro also allows the capture and processing of multiple images at high ISO, bringing it to nearly ISO million for extremely dark scenes.

Just like the previous sensor, the Isocell GN2 is also capable of producing 100MP images via its 50MP sensor. This is accomplished by creating “three individual layers of 50MP images in green, red and blue” and then using a remosaic algorithm to produce a 100MP photo. We assume that a 108MP sensor could be better with real 100MP + images.

Samsung’s new 50MP sensor is also available in the video arena, capturing 4K / 120fps or 480fps slow-motion videos in FHD. You also get 8K / 24fps recording, which seems like a slight downgrade on paper compared to the 8K / 30fps capabilities of the GN1.

The Isocell GN2 is currently in mass production, which suggests we’ll see it sooner rather than later. For what it’s worth, Vivo was the only brand to use the Isocell GN1 in their phones. But prognosticator Ice universe believes that the new sensor will land in the Mi 11 Ultra. Xiaomi previously used a 48MP Omnivision sensor in the Mi 10 Ultra and Omnivision recently launched its own 50MP sensor. So we’ll have to wait and see if the new Xiaomi phone has Samsung’s sensor.