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Samsung ISOCELL Vizion 3D ToF sensor for Galaxy S21

Samsung is developing its own 3D ToF sensor, called ISOCELL Vizion. Presumably intended for the Galaxy S21 series that is expected in early 2021.

Launched earlier this year Galaxy S20 Plus in S20 Ultra both were equipped with a Time-of-flight (ToF) Camera, also called DepthVision Camera by Samsung. A ToF sensor is a 3D camera that can measure depth and distance to objects by using light that reflects off the object. This sensor can also be used to create a bokeh effect in photos. A ToF sensor can be implemented on both the front and back of a telephone. Some functions that have emerged from this ToF camera are the Live Focus video function, the Quick Measure feature and the 3D Scanner.

Although Samsung produces its own image sensors -so announced the Korean manufacturer added a series of new ISOCELL sensors last week, the ToF sensor is not made by Samsung. This sensor comes from Sony. However, Sony has signed an exclusive contract with Apple (think the advanced LiDAR sensor), so that only the indirect, less good variant is still available for Samsung, so it knew Android Central last month.

At the Note 20 Ultra this sensor was therefore omitted, instead a laser autofocus system has been integrated. What does this mean for the Samsung Galaxy S21, which is expected next year?

Should we no longer expect a Samsung smartphone with a ToF camera in the future? The ToF sensor will probably return, as a new trademark application raises the suspicion that Samsung is developing its own ToF sensor, called ISOCELL Vizion.

ISOCELL Vision ToF sensor

On September 18, 2020, Samsung Electronics filed a trademark for ‘ISOCELL Vizion’. The application has been filed in Europe with the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) and classified as Class 9, with the following description:

Samsung ISOCELL Vizion trademark description: Time-of-flight (TOF) optical sensors for smartphones, facial recognition system comprising TOF optical sensors, 3D modeling and 3D measurement of objects with TOF sensors; Dynamic Vision Sensor (DVS) in the nature of motion sensors for smartphones; proximity detection sensors and Dynamic Vision Sensor (DVS) for detecting the shape, proximity, movement, color and behavior of humans.

From the description it can be concluded that ISOCELL Vizion is a ToF sensor. Samsung probably wants to develop its own Time-of-Flight sensor, with improved functionality of course. Finally, the 3D sensor of Apple praised for its extreme precision and long range of no less than 6 meters. At Samsung this is limited to ‘only’ 3 meters.

Furthermore, it can be seen from the description that this sensor can be used for improved face detection. This is not entirely new for Samsung, after all, the Galaxy S10 5G and the later launched S20 + and S20 Ultra also already have 3D Face Detection (in combination with One UI 2.0).

ISOCELL Vision

Is this technology intended for the Samsung Galaxy S21 camera?

It remains unclear for the time being when Samsung will apply the ISOCELL Vizion sensor for the first time. The Galaxy S21 series (also called the Galaxy S30 series) is expected around February 2021. It is very possible that this will be the first phone model with a Samsung-made ToF sensor.

Presumably the Samsung S21 will be equipped with one again 108 megapixel camera, although a new image sensor is being deployed – namely the recently introduced ISOCELL HM2. In addition, the flagship will be powered by an even more powerful chipset. The necessary improvements are also expected in the field of charging.

View the application for this here Samsung ISOCELL Vision.

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