Recent rumours point to the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5 coming with a 16MP camera. While it now appears that it may lack optical image stabilization, it may well sport Samsung’s new ISOCELL sensor. At the same time, a report today suggests that Samsung is already looking beyond and readying a 20MP smartphone camera module for the second half of 2014.
In a case of success bringing about its own set of challenges, Samsung expects to need some 50 million camera modules for its flagship line. The limited number of OIS AF actuator suppliers and low production yields may simply be unable to meet that demand. These constraints have already forced Samsung to postpone the inclusion of the feature in the Galaxy Note 3 and likely in the Galaxy S5 and could well persist deep into 2014. As a result, Samsung may push forward with higher megapixel cameras as a potential marketing differentiator over its competitors.
Samsung is now looking to use the 16MP camera sensor in up to 25% of the smartphones it releases in 2014. In itself, that could translate to a demand for about 90 million camera modules. By 2015, Samsung would transition to the 20MP camera module for its high-end smartphones with the 16MP module moving down to the mid-range market.
Companies such as Apple and Nokia have used their camera technology to distinguish themselves from their competition. It now appears that Samsung is ready to do the same, even if OIS remains an elusive goal for the company. Hopefully Google can help with that as well by improving the Android camera APIs.
Source : ETNews