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The steady improvement of smartphone photography is primarily thanks to the advancement of high-quality camera sensors. Sony’s IMX966 sensor to upcoming smartphones powered by the ISP on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor would be a significant step forward for mobile photography.
This article will examine the key details of Sony’s next flagship IMX966 sensor and some upcoming phones that will sport this new sensor. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.
Sony IMX966 Sensor Key Details
Even though the Sony IMX966 sensor is only about 1/1.4” in size, it has a remarkable amount of processing power. Its predecessor had a 1/1.49” sensor size. Still, this new version is slightly bigger, so it can capture even more light.
The IMX 989 released earlier last year had a 1” sensor size. Although the IMX966 may be compact, its high-end features are more than enough to satisfy even the most demanding smartphone photographers.
The IMX966 sensor is a big step up because it has built-in Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). When shooting in low light or with a moving subject, this improvement in image stabilization allows for much better shots.
According to the latest leaks, the IMX966 will also feature brand-new capabilities to enhance image quality and user experience. The IMX966 sensor may be smaller but should substantially improve speed and image quality.
With OIS, your shots should be steadier and less blurry than ever before. Improvements in computational photography capabilities and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processing power should also help smartphones with the IMX966 sensor take noticeably better photos.
Smartphone cameras have advanced significantly because of technological advancements like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 engine and the Sony IMX966 sensor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, coupled with the IMX966 sensor, should be pushing the limits of smartphone photography to new heights.
The camera’s IMX966 sensor and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU should produce excellent images. USING AI-BASED FEATURES, the CPU can fine-tune image processing parameters, including color, sharpness, and dynamic range.
Taking pictures should now be much smoother and quicker, thanks to the robust Adreno GPU and the improved ISP. Besides the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, other smartphone chipsets should also be coupled with the IMX966 sensor for a great photography experience.
Upcoming Phones With the Sony IMX966 Sensor
We are about to see a lot of phones featuring the Sony IMX966 sensor. Mainly, these smartphones will be flagship and upper mid-range devices with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or any other high-end chipset.
As of now, we have heard of two smartphones that will be featuring the IMX966 sensor. These are the OnePlus 12 and the iQOO 12 Pro. Both devices will likely feature the new IMX966 sensor and a 64 MP Omnivision 3X lens.
1. OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 will sport a 6.7” OLED 120Hz display with a resolution of 1440p. The device will be powered by the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile chipset, featuring 16GB or 24GB of RAM.
The device is also said to have a 5,400mAh battery with support for 100W fast wired and 50W fast wireless charging. The phone will also feature the 50 MP IMX966 primary sensor and a 64 MP 3x telephoto lens, producing extremely high image quality and clarity.
The OnePlus 12 is expected to be unveiled in December, first in China and then internationally in early 2024. We can expect this to be as early as January 2024.
2. iQOO 12 Pro
The iQOO 12 Pro will sport a 6.78” curved AMOLED 2K+ display with a refresh rate of 144Hz. It will be powered by the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile chipset and 16 GB or 24 GB of RAM.
The device also has a large battery supporting 200W fast wired and 50W fast wireless charging. As for the cameras, this will also feature the 50 MP IMX966 primary sensor, a 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope module, and a 50 MP ultra-wide lens.
As per X (Twitter) leakster Mukul Sharma, the iQOO 12 will launch in India in late November or early December. Therefore, you can also expect the iQOO 12 Pro to launch simultaneously.
In addition to OnePlus and iQOO, several other smartphone manufacturers will use the Sony IMX966 sensor in their next products. Vivo, the parent company of iQOO, is also expected to use the IMX966 sensor on its upcoming Vivo X100 Pro smartphone.
Likewise, Xiaomi is also expected to launch the Xiaomi 14 series with the IMX966 sensor. We should be witnessing many phone launches featuring the IMX966 by the end of this year.
Final Words
The Sony IMX966 sensor is attracting much attention in the smartphone market because of the new photography age it promises. Despite being a smaller sensor than the IMX989, it is expected to do wonders in smartphone photography.
Smartphone fans are waiting for the release of these models in the hopes that they will feature the IMX966 sensor. Keep an eye out for the arrival of these upcoming phones, featuring the new advancement in mobile photography— Sony’s IMX966. Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
