Sony has the largest image sensor for smartphones, the 1-inch IMX989, which has been used in multiple camera phones. Size isn’t everything, though, and Sony’s next two sensors will get slightly smaller but have smart designs, according to unofficial reports.
The Sony IMX903 is allegedly a 1/1.14″ sensor with 48 MP resolution and 1.4 µm pixels (up from 1.6 µm in the IMX989). It will support dual pixel autofocus, so each pixel will be made up of two photodiodes, each 0.7 x 1.4 µm in size.
The autofocus system will be able to quickly acquire and track focus on moving objects. It will also have Wide Dynamic Range technology courtesy of Dolby and be capable of capturing 4K video at high frame rates. To top it off, there will be a cinematic mode, making the IMX903 the best choice for phones that focus on high-quality video.
The Sony IMX907 is roughly the same size at 1/1.12″ but with a slightly higher 50MP resolution. The pixels still measure 1.4µm, but are divided into four photodiodes each (0.7 x 0.7µm) for quad pixel autofocus.
Typically, dual-pixel AF sensors capable of outputting images double their native resolution. This means that the IMX903 could have a 96MP mode, if the phone manufacturer wants it. The IMX907 is expected to be capable of 200MP, which may be the first time in a while that Sony has matched Samsung’s superior sensor in terms of resolution.
Not that these are focused on raw resolution. They should use Sony’s stacked sensor design, which moves the transistors to a separate layer, leaving the photodiodes on their own layer and allowing them to capture more light. This improves their low-light performance.
Sony’s superimposed CMOS sensor design
Earlier this year we heard rumors that the iPhone 15 Pro Max will use IMX903 in its main camera. It will supposedly pair the sensor with an advanced lens made up of 1 molded glass element and 7 plastic elements. That molded glass element is apparently quite complicated to manufacture.
The IMX903 has also been linked to rumors of an Xperia Pro-I sequel that was expected late last year but never materialized.
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