Sony's upcoming IMX903 and IMX907 smartphone image sensors detailed

25 July 2023
The IMX903 could be the sensor that Apple uses in the iPhone 15 Pro Max main camera. 

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • pd%
  • 09 Sep 2023

Anonymous, 26 Jul 2023Why aren’t these flagship sensors in Sony’s flagship phones... moresony certainly sells its IMX 903 exclusively to apple at first.

also sensor is not all. ISP, software, lenses, all that probably matters too.

    Anonymous, 26 Jul 2023Why aren’t these flagship sensors in Sony’s flagship phones... moreBecause Sony has focused mostly on B2B (Business-to-Business) lately as it's larger in quantity, more informational and straightforward, and more profitable compared to B2C, especially in this case, their semiconductor division that is responsible for the majority of camera sensors in smartphones, including iPhones. I mean, Apple Vision Pro has numerous Sony sensors and Sony micro-OLEDs in the system, and for Sony, it's better that way because they got bulk orders for just one from Vision Pro. Sure, their B2C is still there, like Xperia, Alpha, Audio, and Bravia, but its focus market has probably been narrowed down and focuses on its core audience rather than a wider audience as in the past, except for a few, like their Gaming Division. This is especially true for the Xperia division, which is now under full control and acts as the little sibling of their camera division, Alpha. Especially when Xperia is more like their project-based division and no longer their money-making focus division since 2019, as it has other divisions to do it for them.

    And one more thing as additional information: BASF, the biggest chemical producer in the world, has its headquarters in Ludwigshafen am Rhein in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. They haven't had any B2C products since the 1990s, but their B2B business is so profitable that they keep it that way despite the fact that their name isn't that prominent in the consumer market. Sony probably got inspired by BASF regarding this case.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • 0R@
      • 26 Jul 2023

      Why aren’t these flagship sensors in Sony’s flagship phones? It’s beyond crazy! The Xperia 1 always gets mediocre camera reviews and scores compared to other flagships because of it (and the over complicated app).

        Well time for Huawei, Xiaomi or Leica and Hasselblad to make some moves.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • 3SL
          • 26 Jul 2023

          justasmile, 25 Jul 2023Still, those people with no knowledge about tech would say ... more„Apple A16 has only 6 cores? Must be bad, my Helio G35 has 8 cores“

            • B
            • Bond SONY
            • X}M
            • 26 Jul 2023

            Sony mobiles without Carl Zeiss lenses and Walkman Stereo speakers is body without HEART.. Sony need to Rethink , or else you are wasting time and money....

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • uJA
              • 26 Jul 2023

              IMX363, 25 Jul 20231"-type is probably the largest they can go without tu... more1" is using 8.7mm lens to get 23mm (35mm equiv), they ain't using 23mm lens.

                Anonymous, 25 Jul 2023You forget phone lenses have only 6 - 7 elements, while len... morePlastic's refractive index is somewhat comparable to glass (although glass is slightly higher, meaning it can be made thinner to refract a ray by the same degree). The reason why it's readily used on a phone camera is that it can be easily milled and moulded and therefore has a higher yield compared to glass lenses.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • 0p}
                  • 25 Jul 2023

                  IMX363, 25 Jul 20231"-type is probably the largest they can go without tu... moreYou forget phone lenses have only 6 - 7 elements, while lenses for 📷 often have 14-18.
                  They are plastic to be much thinner, despite much lower quality ( not as translucid as glass)

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • 0p}
                    • 25 Jul 2023

                    IMX363, 25 Jul 20231"-type is probably the largest they can go without tu... moreIt is true. Xiaomi is testing it.

                    OEMs dont care if bump goes 8,5-9mm thick.
                    Ppl will buy it anyway.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • 0p}
                      • 25 Jul 2023

                      Kingchin33, 25 Jul 2023Not going to happen as it's a different division of So... more"Giving exclusivity to Sony phones for months earlier would be bad business practice losing money!"

                      This is exactly what sony is doing. Giving to xperia first and not to anyone else this year.
                      Xperia is going to be used to showcase Sony Semi tech.
                      Sony Semicon has decided this.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • 0p}
                        • 25 Jul 2023

                        Anonymous, 25 Jul 2023i'd like to see Sony use their own flagship sensors ea... moreImx888 is only one ready now.
                        903 is not gonna make to iphone 15 pro, just 16 pro.

                        Also, exmor T has much harder fab process. Sony Semicon cannot even supply other OEMs any soon.

                        Priority is Sony Electronics.
                        Then Apple.
                        Other will be lucky if able to have it before mid 2025.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • 0p}
                          • 25 Jul 2023

                          Kingchin33, 25 Jul 2023Same reason sensors used by security cameras /industry cann... moreQuality is poor because it is not interesting to have giant files to save.
                          Since these cameras work 24/7/365.
                          Imagine how huge they would be if making similar videos like phones.
                          Did yiu expect them to have 4K@60?

                          Go read about Starvis sensor tech.

                            • S
                            • Stoon
                            • N1c
                            • 25 Jul 2023

                            ... and still a lot of people are fooled by those sony names, where the most important thing in photography is the post-processing algorithm !

                              Anonymous, 25 Jul 2023Is 1“ the largest they will go, or will they go even bigger... more1"-type is probably the largest they can go without turning it into a "camera with smartphone features".

                              I don't think those who are posting about micro 4/3 or APS-C sensors realize just how impossible it is. 1"-type already needs ~23mm lens. That's closing in on the ultrawide territory. With a 4/3 sensor you would need an even wider lens or a much thicker phone.

                              I don't believe it's physically possible unless there is something new and truly revolutionary is invented.

                              What they will probably work on is advancing 1"-type sensors. Improving lens clarity. Improving processing algorithms. And innovations, like variable aperture, which will allow for a smoother video. Periscope camera with wider range of zoom, maybe 2x-8x.

                                Anonymous, 25 Jul 2023i'd like to see Sony use their own flagship sensors ea... moreNot going to happen as it's a different division of Sony that makes the sensors. Giving exclusivity to Sony phones for months earlier would be bad business practice losing money!

                                Just like Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics division's don't keep the latest tv panels to first go into Samsung and LG OLED tv's.

                                Sony sensor division make good money from the Chinese smartphone manufacturers. A lot more than if they kept the sensors for Sony phones months before letting the Chinese buy them.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • T1w
                                  • 25 Jul 2023

                                  i'd like to see Sony use their own flagship sensors earlier. 1/1.12" Exmor T in the Xperia 1 VI maybe?

                                  honestly that should be the main draw of the xperia lineup. The newest sensor technology from the sensor manufacturer themselves. But their best sensors always go to a chinese brand first...

                                    Aierlan, 25 Jul 2023What do you mean they are working on a micro 4/3 sensor? T... moreWorking on a Micro 4/3 sensor in a prototype, it's not rocket science. I never said Xiaomi make their own sensors like Samsung, Sony lol.

                                    Xiaomi are working with a Micro 4/3 sensor bought from a third party. Likely a modified Micro 4/3 sensor to fit in the prototype phone.

                                      Aierlan, 25 Jul 2023Working on a sensor implies they are developing a sensor wh... more"Working on a sensor implies they are developing a sensor which they aren't. At most they are working on how to incorporate a sensor of that size into the phone"

                                      No I specifically said working on a Micro 4/3 sensor in a prototype smartphone for a future flagship model.

                                      I never said Xiaomi are developing the sensor. As they don't make their own sensors like Samsung, Sony. Xiaomi buy sensors from companies either stock or modified to their preferences.

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • LH6
                                        • 25 Jul 2023

                                        Whole point of Exmor T is to keep the sensor sizes as they are right now but with 20-30% of performance improvement.

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