The megapixel race is on: Which phone will be the first to feature a 64MP camera?
Rival companies are competing to launch the first 64-megapixel smartphone camera sensor. With at least three brands in the race, which one will be first?
Xiaomi’s Redmi brand has released publicity shots from the 64-megapixel camera set to feature on an upcoming unannounced smartphone. The sharp snapper could be the highest resolution smartphone camera ever — but that depends whether rival brands Realme and Samsung will be first in the picture.
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Redmi posted the above image on Chinese social networking site Weibo on July 22. It demonstrates excellent fine detail of the eye and fur of a cat in close-up. Android Authority translates the accompanying text as: “Redmi’s first 64 million pixel sample. Every detail is complete. The mobile phone officially entered the 64 million pixel era!”
Working on the new premium killer! Introducing world's first smartphone camera with 64MP GW1 largest 1/1.72” sensor and mega 1.6µm pixel with amazing clear shots in low light too. RT if you want to see more “knockout” shots. #DareToLeap pic.twitter.com/D54xNFdaVm
— Madhav X (@MadhavSheth1) June 24, 2019
Just a month previously, Realme pulled a similar stunt. The company’s CEO posted the above tweet claiming it to be “the world’s first smartphone camera with 64MP”. The sensor would be one component of a quad camera, and Realme seem to be very confident of getting to the market before anyone else.
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There’s a good chance that both of these Chinese manufacturers could be left in the dust behind Samsung, though. After all, the 64-megapixel sensor was developed and produced by Samsung. But from all the rumours we’ve heard so far, the flagship Galaxy Note 10 will not feature the sensor, instead opting for a more conservative 12-megapixel main camera; a key Samsung informant instead claims that the sensor will first arrive in the budget-focused A-series.
Samsung released the 64MP ISOCELL image sensor, which is the largest pixel resolution in the mobile phone industry. It is expected to be mass-produced in the second half of the year. It is likely that the Galaxy A will be the first to adopt it in the second half of the year. pic.twitter.com/nfF4o4ckpE
— Ice universe (@UniverseIce) May 9, 2019
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It’s worth noting that all the phones that rumoured to feature the sensor are on the mid-range of the price spectrum rather than being key flagships. It’s another indication that the higher megapixel count does not necessarily mean higher quality.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.