Smartphones Camera Module Comparison 2023 - Xiaomi

Overview / Methodology           

• Executive Summary
• Reverse Costing Methodology
• Glossary

Companies & Supply Chain                  

• Xiaomi
• Sony
• Samsung
• OmniVision
• SEMCO
• SUNNY
• Players & Market Context
• Supply Chain

Physical Comparison & Evolution                 

• Camera Overviews
• Physical Comparison
• Overview of the Physical Analysis
  • 13 Ultra
  • 12S Ultra
  • Mi 11 Ultra
  • Mi 10 Ultra

Manufacturing Processes                 

• Camera Module Structure
  • Conventional Module
  • Periscope Module
  • IR-Cut Filter
• CMOS Image Sensor Structure
• Sony CMOS Image Sensor Manufacturing Processes
  • Fabs
  • Pixel & Logic Circuits
  • Cu-Cu Hybrid Bonding
  • Optical Layers
• Samsung CMOS Image Sensor Manufacturing Processes
  • Fabs
  • Pixel & Logic Circuits
  • TSV Bonding
  • Optical Layers
• OmniVision CMOS Image Sensor Manufacturing Processes
  • Fabs
  • Pixel & Logic Circuits
  • Cu-Cu Hybrid & TSV Bonding
  • Optical Layers

Cost Comparison & Breakdown                 

• CMOS Image Sensor Costs
  • Front CIS Front-End Costs
  • Front CIS Die Costs
  • Rear CIS Front-End Costs
  • Rear CIS Die Costs
  • Rear CIS Die Comparison
• Camera Module Costs
  • Front Camera Module Costs
  • Rear Camera Module Costs
  • Rear Camera Modules Cost Breakdown & Comparison
• Camera Costs & Prices

Detailed Physical Analysis               

• 13 Ultra Front Camera
• 12S Ultra Front Camera
• 13 Ultra Rear Camera
• 12S Ultra Rear Camera

Feedback               

Related Products               

About Yole Group               

• AAC Optics
• AKM (Asahi Kasei Microdevices)
• Huawei (mentioned only in marketing body)
• Jahwa (Korea)
• O-Film
• OmniVision Technologies
• Puya Semiconductor
• Q Tech
• Samsung Electronics
• Samsung Electro-Mechanics
• SUNNY Optical Technology
• Sony
• STMicroelectronics
• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
• TDK (Japan)
• Xiaomi Corporation

Key Features

• Detailed photos
• Precise measurements
• Module cross-sections
• Sensor cross-sections
• Sensor measurements
• Manufacturing process flow
• Supply chain evaluation
• Manufacturing cost analysis
• Physical comparisons
• Cost and price comparison

What's new

• Main module retains the 1” IMX989 CIS and adds a Voice Coil Motor-driven variable aperture.
• Supporting modules debut the IMX858 with all-pixel on-chip lens-based focusing and “multi-camera sync system.”
• Xiaomi opted for increased aperture size and added an short telephoto module, resulting in one of the most expensive smartphone cameras of the year.

Product objectives

In this report we present the results of our detailed physical analysis and costing studies of the Mi 10 Ultra, Mi 11 Ultra, 12S Ultra and 13 Ultra front and rear cameras to offer insight into the physical and cost evolution of the camera modules and CMOS image sensors (CIS) over the last four years of Xiaomi’s ultra-premium flagships. We provide a complete manufacturing and costing analysis and comparison for all four cameras, along with a detailed physical analysis for the cameras in the 12S Ultra and 13 Ultra. For the other two smartphones, we present a more cursory physical analysis that is sufficient for comparison.

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After benefiting from the disruption caused by the Huawei ban in 2019, Xiaomi has solidified its position as the 3rd biggest smartphone player, representing over 11% of global smartphone sales in 2022.  Their cameras have consistently ranked among the other market leaders and often at far lower price points.

In this report we present the results of our detailed physical analysis and costing studies of the Mi 10 Ultra, Mi 11 Ultra, 12S Ultra and 13 Ultra front and rear cameras to offer insight into the physical and cost evolution of the camera modules and CMOS image sensors (CIS) over the last four years of Xiaomi’s ultra-premium flagships.

Though they have a reputation as a budget smartphone vendor, Xiaomi’s ultra-premium flagship camera spending is outsized, with the majority of the expense coming from large main CIS and complex 7P and 8P lens modules. The main module has grown with each generation with the 13 Ultra retaining the enormous 1” IMX989 and adding a voice coil motor (VCM)-controlled variable aperture, as previously seen in SEMCO modules in the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S10 series.

The Mi 10 Ultra had a quad rear camera that included a 2X optical zoom telephoto module to capture clear information from focal planes between the main and 5X zoom periscope modules.  The Mi 11 Ultra moved to a triple rear camera that dropped the telephoto module and invested most of the cost-savings into the ultra-wide module, more than doubling its resolution.  It’s possible that the lossless digital zoom afforded by the increased resolution was able to take on the role of the dropped telephoto module at intermediate focal planes. The 13 Ultra then returned to the quad camera setup, using the three supporting modules to debut Sony’s IMX858 with all-pixel on-chip lens-based focusing.  This is the first CIS with Sony’s ultra-low power “multi-camera sync system.”  While it’s a slightly smaller CIS, Xiaomi decided to increase the aperture size on the supporting module optics to boost the low-light performance and shutter speed.  This with the addition of the 3X zoom telescope module for better information from intermediate focal planes makes for one of the most expensive smartphone cameras of the year.

In this report we provide a complete manufacturing and costing analysis and comparison for all four cameras, along with a detailed physical analysis for the cameras in the 12S Ultra and 13 Ultra. For the other two smartphones, we present a more cursory physical analysis that is sufficient for comparison.