Technology, Process and Cost Comparison
Smartphone Camera Module & CIS Comparison 2022 - Samsung
By Yole SystemPlus —
Evolution of the Galaxy S series camera, from the Galaxy S7 to the S22 Ultra
Samsung Electronics (Samsung) is the smartphone world leader by market share, and the cameras in their Galaxy S series represent their bleeding edge offering in smartphone photography. Further, CMOS image sensors (CIS) represented 25% of Samsung Device Solution’s (DS) non-memory products with $4,785M of annual revenue in 2021. Samsung DS has become the largest semiconductor player on the planet, and its CIS business is the second largest behind Sony at 23% of market share. Samsung has gradually become less reliant on Samsung Device Experience (DX) handset sales and is on a trajectory to become in large part a CIS supplier like Sony in addition to a foundry service supplier, e.g., for GalaxyCore products.
With the release of the Galaxy S22 Ultra in February of this year, we continue our series of camera module and CIS comparison reports by summarizing the results of detailed physical analyses and costing studies to compare the cameras in the Galaxy S7, S8, S9+, S10+, S20 Ultra, S21 Ultra, and S22 Ultra. This report aims to offer insight into the physical and cost evolution of the camera modules and CIS in the last seven years of the ultra-premium models of the Galaxy S flagship series, including the latest Galaxy S22 Ultra.
The report analyzes the rear and front facing photography camera modules. The analysis includes the complete structure, design, and teardown of the modules. It also describes the dimensions, technology node and stacking technology in the CIS. It does not include the iris and depth modules found in the S20 Ultra and earlier models.
Over the years, the Galaxy S series rear cameras have led the market trend, increasing module count from one to four. The Galaxy S20 Ultra was a big step up, debuting Samsung’s 108-megapixel HM1 CIS and the periscope module with a 4x optical zoom that made possible a 100x hybrid zoom. The S21 Ultra improved upon this by using Samsung’s HM3 CIS and including a larger periscope module with a double bounce and 10x optical zoom.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra keeps the same quad camera configuration but includes a slimmer periscope module that retains the same zoom with a more compact camera and reduced cost. The choice of the 7th-generation Sony CIS with 28 nm technology contributes to the reduced camera volume and marks the first time in the series that an ultra-premium model includes more CIS from Sony than from Samsung. The S22 Ultra is the first Samsung smartphone camera we’ve analyzed that uses a glass lens and glass infrared-cut filter plate. It’s also the first time that we’ve observed a Samsung voice coil motor driver.
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
Available on our Yole Group All-Inclusive Imaging Package
Overview / Methodology
- Executive Summary
- Reverse Costing Methodology
- Glossary
Companies & Supply Chai
- Samsung, Sony, SEMCO
- Players & Market Context
- Supply Chain
Physical Comparison & Evolution
- Camera Overviews
- Physical Comparison
- Overview of the Physical Analysis
Manufacturing Processes
- Camera Module Structure
- Conventional
- Periscope
- IR Filter
- Sony Image Sensor Manufacturing Processes
- Fabs
- Pixel & Logic Circuits
- Cu-Cu Hybrid Stacking
- Optical Layers
- Samsung Image Sensor Manufacturing Processes
- Fabs
- Pixel & Logic Circuits
- TSV Stacking
- TSV 3-Stacking
- Optical Layers
Cost Comparison & Breakdown
- CMOS Image Sensor Costs
- Front CIS Front-End (S7 to S22 Ultra)
- Front CIS Die Cost Comparison (S7 to S22 Ultra)
- Early Rear CIS Front-End (S7 to S10+)
- Early Rear CIS Die Cost (S7 to S10+)
- Rear Quad Cam CIS Front-End (S20 Ultra to S22 Ultra)
- Rear Quad Cam CIS Die Cost (S20 Ultra to S22 Ultra)
- Rear CIS Die Cost Comparison (S7 to S22 Ultra)
- Camera Module Costs
- Front Camera Modules (S7 to S22 Ultra)
- Front Camera Modules Breakdown (S7 to S22 Ultra)
- Early Rear Camera Modules (S7 to S10+)
- Rear Quad Camera Modules (S20 Ultra to S22 Ultra)
- Rear Camera Modules Breakdown (S7 to S22 Ultra)
- Rear Camera Cost & Price Comparison
Detailed Physical Analysis
- Front Cameras (Galaxy S7 to S22 Ultra)
- Rear Cameras
- Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 Ultra
- Galaxy S10+
- Galaxy S9+
- Galaxy S8
- Galaxy S7
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