Sony unveils LYT-901, a 200MP flagship smartphone camera sensor

Sony has officially introduced the LYT-901, its first 200‑megapixel sensor for mobile cameras, built for upcoming flagship smartphones. The device had appeared in leaks as the IMX09E and now arrives under the LYTIA branding. Positioned as a direct rival to Samsung’s 200MP chips, the new module sets the stage for a fresh chapter in mobile photography.

The LYT-901 is based on a large 1/1.12‑inch type imager with 0.7μm pixels and delivers a 200MP resolution—a first for Sony in smartphones. It employs a Quad‑Quad Bayer arrangement, then converts data to the familiar 2×2 Bayer pattern via a hardware Remosaic algorithm.

An internal processing pipeline with AI elements helps reduce losses during data conversion and eases the load on the phone’s processor. The sensor features a 12‑bit Fine ADC that boosts detail and cuts noise when shooting at full resolution.

Sony combines Dual Conversion Gain HDR with Hybrid Frame HDR, which captures an additional ultra‑short frame lasting a few microseconds. This hybrid approach helps keep highlights in check and avoids ghosting in fast‑moving scenes. The total dynamic range exceeds 100 dB—roughly 17 stops of exposure.

The sensor supports a hardware 2× zoom and an in‑sensor 4× zoom for both photos and video, enabling a “virtual telephoto” experience without a physical tele lens.

LYT-901 is the only known sensor to combine 4× zoom, 4K 30fps recording without quality loss, and 4K 120fps capture with 4× binning. It offers 50MP (2×2) and 12.5MP (4×4) modes for night scenes and situations that demand high‑quality cropping. The feature set looks especially well‑suited to concerts, shows, and long‑distance shooting.

The first devices to adopt the sensor are expected to be various Ultra‑series smartphones. Rumors point to the OPPO Find X9 Ultra potentially launching with the LYT‑901 in March 2026. The sensor is also expected to appear in the vivo X300 Ultra flagship, slated for the second quarter of 2026.