A single photo or a short video has become the language of our daily lives. Smartphone cameras are no longer just tools; they are at the heart of creation and communication. It is no surprise, then, that whenever a new smartphone is launched, much of the attention is directed toward its camera capabilities. Higher resolution, thinner modules, brighter low-light performance, and zoom clarity that holds up even at a distance — year after year, mobile cameras continue to push boundaries. Among the many advances, “ultra-high resolution” and “pixel miniaturization” have emerged as the two most important keywords driving innovation today.
The rapid adoption of 200-Megapixel sensors in flagship smartphones reflects this trend. Offering sharper details, stable zoom performance, and reduced noise in low light, these sensors have redefined the imaging experience for consumers. Now, the challenge goes beyond just achieving higher megapixels: it is about delivering exceptional image quality in ever-slimmer and more elegant designs. Samsung has long anticipated this demand, pioneering new pixel structures and circuit designs. The culmination of that journey is ISOCELL HP5.
Smaller Pixels, Greater Light Capture – FDTI & Dual VTG
With ISOCELL HP5, Samsung has taken image sensor innovation to a new level by achieving the industry-first 0.5㎛ pixels, with 200MP resolution. Traditionally, shrinking pixels meant reduced light-gathering capacity and unavoidable performance trade-offs. Defying this expectation, ISOCELL HP5 integrates advanced pixel technologies that simultaneously enhance both sensitivity and image quality despite the reduced pixel size.
At the core of this breakthrough are FDTI (Front Deep Trench Isolation) and D-VTG (Dual Vertical Transfer Gate). FDTI introduces deep isolation structures between pixels to minimize optical crosstalk, ensuring that even ultra-small pixels capture light with high fidelity. As a result, 0.5㎛ pixels can collect more electrons, delivering crisp, clean image quality.
Complementing this, D-VTG introduces two transfer gates within a single pixel — unlike conventional single-gate structures — to stably store more light and transfer it more efficiently to the Floating Diffusion (FD) node, where pixel charge is converted into image signal. By optimizing this critical handoff stage, ISOCELL HP5 achieves up to 66% higher full-well capacity (FWC) compared to single-gate designs, resulting in enhanced color reproduction in bright scenes and reduced noise.
Learn more about Samsung’s pixel technologies here: Pixel Technology
Pixels Optimized for Low-Light Performance – DCC Structure
While FDTI and D-VTG expand charge capacity to enhance detail in bright environments, ISOCELL HP5 employs another unique technology to minimize noise in low light: the DCC (DTI Center Cut) structure. DCC strategically opens part of the deep trench isolation between four photodiodes (PDs) to improve phase detection autofocus (PDAF) performance. This design also integrates the FD region to boost conversion gain (CG), which directly contributes to lowering random noise (RN). In addition, Samsung has applied further CG enhancement processes to reduce RN even more, achieving approximately 10–20% additional CG improvement compared to the case without enhancement process.
As a result, the ISOCELL HP5 shows greatly improved low-light noise performance compared to the previous-generation 200MP product¹. Even with its ultra-fine 0.5㎛ pixels, it captures every single star in the night sky with striking clarity, allowing you to share those special moments in even greater detail.
Versatility Across Wide to Telephoto
By combining structural and process innovations, ISOCELL HP5 delivers consistent, high-quality imaging across all focal lengths — from wide-angle to telephoto. Its Tetra²pixel technology enables seamless adaptation across multiple modes:
· 200MP full detail (0.5㎛)
· 50MP balanced mode (1.0㎛)
· 12.5MP bright mode (2.0㎛)
This flexibility allows pixel binning to optimize for different shooting conditions and purposes, while also enabling up to 4x lossless in-sensor zoom². When paired with a 3x telephoto module, ISOCELL HP5 supports up to 12x zoom with lifelike clarity, preserving fine details even at extended focal lengths.
200MP Experience Perfected by AI
If hardware advancements set the stage for a new camera experience, it is AI that brings the finishing touch. Leading smartphone makers are increasingly differentiating themselves with proprietary AI camera engines, which now play a critical role in every shot. Photos and videos are no longer the result of raw capture alone; instead, AI dynamically recognizes scenes, adjusts color and exposure, and performs real-time optimization to deliver the final image.
ISOCELL HP5 integrates end-to-end (E2E) AI remosaic, combining ultra-high resolution with AI-driven optimization for sharper, cleaner results. Most notably, this solution addresses the single biggest hurdle in 200MP adoption: remosaic and ISP processing delays. By fundamentally reducing Remosaic and ISP processing latency, ISOCELL HP5 achieves an average processing time of under two seconds, depending on AP performance. As a result, 200MP photography has transformed from a waiting game into an “instant experience” accessible to everyone.
Slim Innovation Powered by 0.5μm Pixels
In today’s smartphone market, camera performance is matched in importance by design. Premium devices, in particular, are moving toward thinner, sleeker camera modules. ISOCELL HP5, as the first image sensor to realize 200MP resolution on 0.5㎛ pixels, is optimized for a 1/1.56-inch optical format — enabling slim and compact modules without sacrificing detail.
For years, the dream of capturing DSLR-level clarity with a device that fits in your pocket seemed unattainable, as small size and high performance have traditionally been opposing forces. Samsung challenged this limitation head-on, leveraging decades of expertise in pixel miniaturization and sensor design. The result of that relentless pursuit is ISOCELL HP5.
Product page of ISOCELL HP5
ISOCELL HP5 represents not only a milestone in pixel scaling but also a blueprint for the future of image sensor innovation. Building on this achievement, Samsung will continue pushing the boundaries of technology, ensuring that every moment of daily life can be captured and shared as a vivid, lasting memory.
* All images shown are provided for illustrative purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product. All images are digitally edited, modified, or enhanced.
* All product specifications reflect internal test results and are subject to variations by user's system configurations. Actual performance may vary depending on use conditions and environment.
1) ISOCELL HP1
2) 2x zoom is supported with hardware Remosaic, up to 4x with software Remosaic
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