Next iPhone Killer Camera Will Come with 21MP Image Sensor Made by Sony

Apple Supplier Sony Unveils Updated Stacked CMOS Image Sensor


AppleSupplier Sony, has recently unveiled an updated stacked CMOS image sensor for smartphones, featuring 32 effective megapixels, on-chip phase detection AF and 4K video recording. The chip is said to be 1/2.4 inch type with square pixels which measures about 1.12um x 1.12um each with video of up to 4K resolution available with HDR function which is also available in still mode. Sony’s previously introduced HDR movie feature now makes its way to this chip.

The sensor utilises a backside illuminated configuration which was earlier introduced by Sony known as Exmor RS with layer of signal processing circuits beneath a layer of backside illuminated pixels and boasts of a total of about 192 AF points with signal processing which is incorporated in the image sensor.

The on-sensor phase tends to detect autofocus and processing eventually resulting in faster and a much accurate autofocus together with improved subject tracking. A mention is also made in a press release of another upcoming sensor, which is a 16 MP stacked sensor having phase-detection AF which would be coming up by the end of the next fiscal year and the IMX230 unit would be shipped by April 2015.


IMX230 Sensor – First CMO Sensor

Apple has been using Sony sensors for its iPhone and iPads and hence it is likely that Sony’s stacked sensor technology would be used in the iOS devices in the near future. The 21 megapixel Exmor RS IMX230 sensor is created with a chip which stacks a pixel section with a circuit section on top of one another enabling Sony to build improvements in each aspect of the individual sensor resulting in dramatic improvements.

Since 2012, Sony has been stacking sensor technology though the latest sensor would be introducing new autofocus together with HDR technology. As per Sony, the IMX230 sensor is the first CMO sensor for smartphone which has plane detection autofocus signal processing providing a much faster tracking of moving subjects which occur instantaneously.

The sensor which supports a full 21 megapixel HDR images and 4K HDR video results in improved lighting in high contrast scenes and the High Dynamic Range – HDR imaging captures images with different exposures together into one image which improves the detail and colour.


Sony’s Plan for 16 Megapixels Version of IMX230


High megapixel sensors are not used by Apple in its iPhone or iPad and Sony has plans in producing a 16 megapixel version of the IMX230 by 2015 which would be just right for iOS devices. There is a possibility that Apple would use the 16 megapixel version of the IMX230 in the 2015 iPhone 6s as well as 6s Plus though it could also be possible that the sensor would not be used till 2016 or later on since Apple tends to utilise older sensors in its devices.

The sensor used in the present iPhone and iPad is not known though camera experts are of the opinion that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have the Sony ISX014 sensor which is an 8 megapixel sensor that was first introduced by Sony in October 2012.

Sony Xperia Z

Introduced at CES 2013 held in Las Vegas earlier this year, the Xperia Z sensation among the public but not with experts and professionals. At first, the design is very successful elegance and sobriety, a screen of very good quality but also in terms of unique technologies that embeds HDR camera. The year 2013, the year of change for which Sony has seriously upset with the Smartphone market dominated by Apple and Samsung as Sony being the third. It starts well with the buzz caused Xperia Z. Indeed we talk across social networks, blogs, etc.


Xperia ™ Z kit includes incorporated battery, MH-headset Sony EX300AP, charger, micro USB cable for charging, synchronization and file transfer, and user documentation. Simplicity, sobriety, classic, is what emerges mainly at the sight of the Smartphone, a minimum of physical or sensory button. Power button remaining discreet and shortcut buttons integrated directly on the screen. There is no possibility for removing the battery unless it is all disassembled; aluminum and glass finish gives classic look. After it is a matter of taste, but we must admit that on the whole it is rather successful, it is not for me who says it is the success at the sight of the Smartphone. More quality Sony has not neglected here it is almost perfect. On the fluidity and speed, it is one of the best in the market. The large screen provides a viewing angle close to 170 °.

New on seal product and this is done at the cache ports which make access more difficult if you have no nails. No surprise, with its quadcore processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro and its graphics chip Adreno 320, associated with its large screen FULL HD or the function Miracast (mirror function on TV wifi).
The games run extremely well, even greedier. You have access to the large library of game virtual store PlayStation, Store Mobile offering games and other content specifically dedicated to Xperia Z. Benchmarks ... So for those who have no idea what good are these funny things, know that it is testing. Tests highlighting the computing power of the processor and graphics chip, the speed of Java in Web browsing, All this in order to note the software part of a Smartphone. This Android Smartphone is excellent in testing, beautiful graphics; it is indeed part of the best smart phones of the moment.


Sony has integrated its latest Exmor RS in its Xperia Z, like all smart phones, is difficult to achieve good record in low light, but it does not come out so bad compared to the competition. The high resolution of 12MP comes from its exclusive HDR sensor. It takes about late February, early March at a price of € 649 without subsidies. It will also support 4G based operators offering this network, NFC technology is also present. In conclusion, the Sony Xperia Z can cause a lot of change in terms of market share in the Smartphone sector; the battle will be very hard with Samsung and Apple. Each manufacturer of innovative, so innovation is good, but it must be that it is still useful to attract customers, gadgets and small changes are not enough to stand at top; there are other considerable factor to take into account.

Apple / Sony: not a good design

Sony and Apple has made a reputation for design including its phones. Rob Beschizza on the blog Boing Boing is a pretext for leaving some time ago of the Vaio Z, a competitor to the MacBook Air 13 ", to parallel the way in which the two companies are changing their ultraportables.

Sony uses its technology in an original way for its new ultraportable

Sony introduced a new notebook that uses Light Peak in an original way. The VAIO Z uses the standard Intel to connect the computer to an additional module that contains three USB ports, an Ethernet port, one VGA and one HDMI. This module also incorporates a Blue-Ray or DVD, but also an additional graphics chip (Radeon HD 6650M), which is more powerful than integrated into the computer itself (an Intel chip).

The idea is simple; the computer itself is very small, without compromising on the number of ports or the power when needed. The VAIO Z is a PC with 13.1-inch high resolution (1600 x 900 pixels), it weighs only 1.18 kg for a thickness of 16.6 mm. By comparison, the 13-inch MacBook Air weigh 1.32 kg and measuring its thickest point 17 mm. Inside, the VAIO Z may contain a Core i7 2.7 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD in RAID 0 (two drives running in parallel) and a battery that offers seven hours of battery life. Good idea further, we can add a battery that does not take the form of an unsightly bulge on the back, but a layer of the computer.

The module itself uses the same technology as the Thunderbolt promoted by Apple, but Sony does not use the name or the connector of the company at the apple. Instead, the Japanese manufacturer has its own proprietary connector which apparently takes the form of a USB port since it can be used and when the module is not connected. The VAIO Z due out in July, but you can already pre-order on the website of Sony. The model with a Core i7 8 GB RAM 256 GB SSD, the additional module with DVD burner and battery and additional costs € 2814.

Sony confirms Honeycomb shelf for 2011

Well this year Sony will launch a tablet-based Android 3. Confirmation was given by its CEO, Sir Howard Stringer interviewed by Japanese newspaper Nikkei. This model will first be launched in the United States and its output would occur in late summer (good time to prepare for Christmas sales) or at least before the end of the year.



Mid-February, Engadget had obtained information on a tablet Honeycomb signed with Sony. With an outline of its design. At the time he had a bulge to improve his grip. The equipment would be a Tegra processor 2, a screen 9.4 "1280x800, front and back cameras, USB-A to receive, for example USB keys. Only physical buttons announced, those of volume and starting.

There was also talk of an infrared emitter for controlling Bravia televisions. The period of September for its launch was also mentioned. Sony during CES was also set a goal to rank in second position behind the iPad this market.

Sony claims to provide "the best camera" to Apple

This time it directly from Sony boss Sir Howard Stringer, who supplies the list of specifications of products coming from Apple (you can call it suicide ... live). He suggested that Sony should equip Apple with their best optical sensor.

Stringer attended yesterday evening, April 1, nice irony, an appointment held by the Wall Street Journal where he was interviewed by Walt Mossberg.

The Wall Street Journal make a brief report and repeat the passage in which Stringer emphasizes the paradox of his situation as a competitor but also a supplier to Apple, "It always leaves me perplexed, why should I give to Apple best camera? "

There is no more into detail on the component in question or its exact destination. He also explained that this component was to join an Apple device was manufactured in a factory in Sendai Japan hit by the tsunami.

As recalled Mac, the rumor of a partnership between Apple and Sony has a history. Going back in April 2010, are The Street, which afiirmait that Sony would replace Omnivision in the iPhone in the following year, with an 8MP sensor. We can then engage in speculation and consider that the hypothesis of an iPhone launch 5 to fall is the result of the problem with this plant.

Jim Dalrymple of The Loop (and former Macworld Magazine U.S.), who first raised the pitch shift, reiterated last Wednesday, the blog of Fortune, which published his ticket two days earlier had been confirmed by its "excellent sources ".