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Samsung’s long-range zoom is excellent, but the intermediate zoom needs many improvements. We’ll generally refer to intermediate zoom as all the focal lengths between 3X and 10X.
The Sony IMX 754 sensor they use for the 3X zoom sensor is just 1/3.52″ in size and tops at an unimpressive 10MP resolution. This sensor works perfectly fine for periscope zoom, but it’s not the best in the market for intermediate zoom.
Weirdly enough, Samsung’s much older S21 Ultra uses a 1/2.65″ 10MP S5K3J1 sensor for both the 3X and 10X zoom. The new phones still take much better photos since Samsung focuses on processing and algorithms. But, weirdly, the sensor sizes shrunk, and it’s probably so that they could focus on the form factor/ design, make the device slimmer, and simplify the camera module’s design.
Was picking form over function the right choice for Samsung? This is debatable since the results would’ve looked even better than the current ones if we had larger sensors. The main problems with the 3X telephoto on the S23 Ultra are the lack of resolution and details, extremely high noise levels, and too much artificial exposure correction and sharpening from the software side.
Galaxy S24 Ultra may get a big telephoto camera upgrade
Fortunately, new rumors point to Samsung completely changing things and moving to a 50MP sensor for the 3X telephoto. According to Ice Universe, the S24 Ultra will receive a 50MP sensor for 3X optical zoom.
This contradicts previous rumors of Samsung replacing the 3X sensor with a 5X one, which we hope doesn’t happen. The 3X range is essential for taking portrait-mode photos of people and objects. The range is very widely used and has a variety of applications.
We can speculate on the sensor, and there’s an excellent chance it’s Samsung’s own S5KJN1 1/2.76″ 50MP sensor. The JN1 is nearly the same size as the older 3J1 sensor but is much higher in megapixels. The JN1 is no breakthrough.
Still, it’s a massive upgrade from the existing 1/3.52″ sensor. It’ll massively improve noise handling, detail retention, and target exposure. The software doesn’t have to do as much work with sharpening. The image will look more organic, and larger sensors are always welcome.
This will address Samsung’s fundamental weakness with the S23 Ultra’s camera system. Apple uses a 1/3.5″ 12MP Sony IMX713 sensor for the iPhone 14 Pro/ Max, though it’s let down by a poor 2.8 aperture and subpar dynamic range, and the processing in general.
Xiaomi has one of the best 3.2X cameras in the game since it’s a floating telephoto capable of macro photos. It uses the JN1, and the results are pretty impressive. Oppo has the best one in the industry since it uses the 1/1.56″ 50MP IMX890 sensor for a 3X periscope.
The photos it takes are difficult to beat between the 1X and 10X range. Samsung could challenge it with a larger sensor on the S24 Ultra. Samsung using a sensor like the GN3, GN5, or IMX890 is extremely unlikely for the S24 Ultra, but we don’t have any details on which 50MP sensor they’ll use for the S24 Ultra. The report wasn’t particular.
Ice Universe’s accuracy track record is very mixed, so we can’t say these leaks will surely come true. So, take it with a pinch of salt until we see more concrete leaks with proof.
The S24 series might not get a selfie update
According to a leak from GalaxyClub, the S24 series might not get any updates to the selfie cameras. The S22 Ultra had a 40MP selfie camera, but the S23 Ultra got a new 12MP selfie camera. Megapixels aren’t everything, and Samsung chose a better quality sensor with more depth of field.
The older sensor was only 0.7 microns in size despite the 40MP resolution. After Pixel Binning, it effectively goes down to 10MP, and that’s already a lower resolution than organic 12MP. The older sensor was a bit noisy and didn’t have as much organic detail.
For the S23 Ultra, Samsung moved to the S5K3LU sensor for the front camera. It has a larger 1/3.2″ size with 1.12 microns, and that’s a much larger sensor than the 40MP sensor with 0.7 microns. As a result, selfies now appear sharper with more organic details and natural depth of field.
Since this 12MP 3LU sensor is fairly new, it doesn’t make sense for Samsung to adopt a new sensor already. Samsung’s selfie game is already leaps ahead of the competition since most of the competing Ultra phones can’t even record in 4K resolution from the front camera. The decent hardware with strong processing puts Samsung right at the top for selfies.
As discussed before, Samsung will allegedly stick to the 12MP sensor, and any improvements you see will result from the new ISPs in the new chips that will come out next year.
