Samsung on Tuesday announced ISOCELL Dual, its latest imaging software meant to provide a universal dual-camera solution for contemporary (Android) smartphones. The service is part of an end-to-end two-sensor package offered by Samsung that also includes ISOCELL Dual sensors the company already announced late last month alongside a range of other imaging modules. The proprietary software framework comes with native support for low-light shooting and refocusing aimed at creating a bokeh effect, the company revealed, adding that the technology is versatile enough to allow for implementations into essentially all price categories of smartphones.
The main selling points of ISOCELL Dual are its comprehensiveness, scalability, and flexibility, with the South Korean firm claiming that the solution works even without an additional image signal processor found only as part of flagship-class devices. Samsung is expecting the technology to allow for more dual-camera setups in mid-range and entry-level smartphones going forward, having confirmed it’s now offering the solution to third-party original equipment manufacturers. Besides its proprietary algorithms, the kit comes with a 13-megapixel main camera and another 5-megapixel sensor meant to support it. Alternatively, the same technology can power two 8-megapixel sensors, also provided by Samsung. The nature of the solution suggests it won’t be part of any ultra-premium Galaxy devices going forward but may end up being implemented in some upcoming additions to the Galaxy J family. The Seoul-based tech giant didn’t reveal when it’s expecting independent OEMs to start implementing its new offering into their products, though the timing of ISOCELL Dual’s announcement suggests the technology is likely to be commercialized in the second half of the year.
Samsung only decided to follow the trend of mobile dual-camera setups in late summer with the announcement of the Galaxy Note 8 and the company apparently still isn’t fully committed to such solutions, not even in the context of its high-end offerings. According to recent reports, only the more expensive half of the Galaxy S9 lineup will feature a two-sensor imaging system, whereas the more affordable model will still ship with a single-lens solution. The two Android flagships have recently been confirmed for a February 25 announcement and should start retailing next month.