Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Let's start with the current Galaxy S22 Ultra. That one features a 108MP main camera with the following specifications:

• 108 megapixels
• 1/1.33" ISOCELL HM3 (S5KHM3) sensor
• 0.8 µm pixels
• f/1.8 aperture

According to a report from Ice Universe, the upcoming Galaxy S23 Ultra will have a main camera with the specifications below. The well-known leaker calls his information "100% confirmed".

• 200 megapixels
• 1/1.3" sensor
• 0.6µm pixels
• f/1.7 aperture

It is unclear which sensor Samsung is using for this. It has already announced the ISOCELL HP1 but it is 1/1.22" in size. We find this camera sensor in the recently announced Motorola edge 30 Ultra. And then there is the ISOCELL HP3; also a 200MP sensor but it is 1/1.4" in size. That leaves room for a possible unannounced ISOCELL HP2 but has not been confirmed yet.

Improvement?

In the end, rough specs like this say little about the actual result. There is also a lot of software involved in a good photo result. So we'll wait a while before calling the 200MP camera of the S23 Ultra an improvement. Samsung's S23 series isn't expected until early 2023 at the earliest so we have some time.

Samsung is sticking to the same camera design for the Galaxy S23 Ultra as the Galaxy S22 Ultra. So the five different cameras are like drops in the top left corner on the back. At least that's what our source claims to know for 100% sure.

We previously learned that the S23 Ultra is the first Galaxy phone with a 200MP camera. It's no secret that Samsung is trying out the latest and greatest technologies on its S Ultra models first.

S23 Ultra design

The same source predicts that the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra will have somewhat less rounded sides than last year. It still is boxy, though, with a flat top and bottom. Should this rumor become a reality, it seems that the rounded sides are on their way out. Samsung started this trend with the S6 edge, but the rounded sides weren't to everyone's liking.

According to Korea's ET News, Samsung is currently putting the finishing touches on a second version of its 200MP camera sensor. And it's intended that the Galaxy S23 Ultra will get it first, though nothing is set in stone yet.

Samsung more often uses its Ultra line to debut new technology. In particular, the Ultra phones have the latest technology, such as screens with extra high refresh rates, resolution, and fast charging techniques. Previously, Samsung planned to release a 200MP camera phone in 2021, but that deadline was missed. Now Samsung is working on overhauling its 200MP ISOCELL HP1 sensor, which suggests a problem.

Not until early 2023

Samsung itself has not released anything about this. Perhaps it will send out another press release when this sensor is ready. Samsung also sells components to competitors, applying them to their products. Previously it was rumored that Xiaomi, Motorola, and Nokia are working on phones with 200MP cameras. There is even a possibility that these will come to market earlier than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. That one is not expected until the first quarter of 2023.