Samsung developing 0.6μm pixel image sensor

Samsung Electronics was developing a 0.6 micrometer pixel image sensor.

System LSI business EVP Park Yong-in said the company will supply the pixels earlier than competitors.

Samsung applied ultra-small DRAM technology to its image sensors that shortened development time, Park said.

Last year, the company launched the 0.7 micrometer pixel 108MP image sensors.

In September, Samsung launched four more image sensors with 0.7 micrometer pixel.

Having smaller pixel sizes allows companies to pack in more resolution into image sensors. The image sensors can also designed to be smaller to avoid cameras in smartphones protruding out.

Samsung is also planning to launch image sensors for automobiles, drones and industrial use, Park said. The company was also developing time of flight, dynamic vision sensor and short wave infrared technology, the EVP said.

ToF allows for 3D mapping; dynamic vision sensors can detect physical movements; and infrared technology can be used to film images, such as those of viruses or ultra-small defects, that were unavailable for conventional cameras.

According to market research firm TSR, rear cameras with 32MP resolution or higher accounted for 35% of all smartphones this year. This will increase to 56% by 2024, the firm said.