Not all Samsung Galaxy S7 cameras are born equal, it seems.
Samsung is shipping some Galaxy S7 handsets that use different image sensors than their siblings, as noted by Android Authority.
If you own a Galaxy S7, it’s been fitted with either a Samsung ISOCELL sensor or Sony’s IMX260 sensor, seemingly at random.
This is also true for the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, which means both new Samsung handsets could have varying degrees of image quality.
The same was true for last year’s Galaxy S6, which also shipped with either an ISOCELL or IMX260 on board, depending on pure chance.
Image credit: Android Authority
Worryingly, some reports at the time suggested the Sony sensor performed ever so slightly better in side-by-side photography comparisons.
However, it’s still too early to tell whether there will be any image quality discrepancies between Galaxy S7 variants.
It’s also not clear how Samsung decides which phones feature which cameras.
AA reports that there’s evidence of both variants arriving in the US and Europe respectively.
Related: Samsung Galaxy S8
If you’re wondering why Samsung would use different sensors in the same phone, it’s no secret: the supply chain.
Oftentimes, a single supplier can’t provide enough stock to fuel a worldwide rollout, so Samsung is forced to utilise several suppliers.
Samsung is in a fortunate position however, as the company has its own manufacturing divisions for several key mobile components, including processors, displays, and image sensors.
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Do you think Samsung should ensure all smartphones ship with exactly the same components, or is that asking too much? Let us know in the comments.
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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.
