Samsung unveils ISOCELL HP5, a compact 200MP smartphone sensor

Samsung has formally unveiled a new smartphone image sensor, the ISOCELL HP5, a 200‑megapixel chip that aims to raise photo and video quality despite a smaller footprint, thanks to a stack of fresh engineering ideas.

The ISOCELL HP5 is a 1/1.56‑inch sensor delivering 16,384 x 12,288 pixels with 0.5 µm pixel size, making it Samsung’s most compact 200 MP unit to date. To counter the reduced dimensions, the company applies Dual Vertical Transfer Gate (D‑VTG) and Front Deep Trench Isolation (FDTI) to boost pixel capacity and improve light capture. An updated DTI Center Cut (DCC) design also sharpens autofocus and cuts noise. Samsung says sensitivity is up by 150% while random noise drops by as much as 40%.

To gather more light, the sensor adds a precision microlens and a higher‑transmittance anti‑reflective coating. A new oxide isolation structure helps curb crosstalk and light loss—particularly useful in low‑light scenes, where small sensors typically struggle the most. On paper, the package looks tailored to turn headline resolution into more consistent everyday results.

Dynamic range gets attention, too. The HP5 supports Smart ISO Pro and Staggered HDR: the former blends frames shot at different ISO levels to produce 13‑bit images with more than 550 billion color shades, while the latter fuses multiple exposures for detailed HDR photos. There’s also an in‑sensor 2x optical zoom, and when paired with a 3x lens, it enables 6x magnification without quality loss. Video capture spans 8K at 30 fps, 4K at 120 fps, and Full HD at 240 fps, with RAW output available at up to 14‑bit color depth.

Rumors point to the OPPO Find X9 Pro as the first phone to feature the HP5, with an announcement expected on October 16. Other Chinese manufacturers may follow.

For now, Samsung reportedly does not plan to install the HP5 in its own Galaxy flagships, a move that hints the sensor’s debut may come through partners before it reaches the company’s in‑house devices.