Image Sensor Blog
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Cameras
Initial teardown results of the camera modules and optical sensors
John Scott-Thomas, Ph.D.
March 03, 2023
The new Samsung S23 Ultra is now working its way through TechInsights’ lab, and in this blog we present the initial teardown results of the camera modules and optical sensors we found inside the phone. The S23 Ultra features a quad-camera cluster (200 MP main/wide, 10 MP periscope, 10 MP telephoto, and 12 MP ultrawide) on the back. The front (selfie) camera uses a 12 MP CMOS image sensor (CIS). There is also an Ambient Light Sensor/time-of-flight (ToF) (back) and infrared (IR) proximity sensor (front).
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Initial teardown results, with identified CIS sensors and camera sensors, are presented here. Figure 1 shows the backside of the Samsung S23 Ultra, indicating the locations of the cameras, LED flash, and Ambient Light Sensor. The smartphone was opened, and the backside camera PCB was removed. Figure 2 indicates the cameras, LED flash, and Ambient Light Sensor/ToF.
Figure 1: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra back with element positions identified.
Figure 2. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra back camera PCB with cameras, LED flash, and Ambient Light Sensor/ToF indicated.
Initial X-rays of the main (wide) camera module in Figure 3 show aperture stops over the sensor structure and four ball bearings used to guide the lens barrel. The image sensor (Figure 4) is likely the HP2 image sensor at the 0.6 µm process node. Lab work is under way to confirm this. We anticipate a dual vertical transfer gate to improve charge transfer, Tetra2 pixel (4x4 color filter), and dual conversion gain. The process node may be 28 nm (not confirmed at this point). See paper T08-4 from the 2022 Symposium on VLSI Technology & Circuits Digest of Technical Papers for further details.
Figure 3. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 200 MP Main (Wide) camera (X-ray).
Figure 4. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 200 MP Main (Wide) camera (Samsung CIS).
The periscope camera (Figures 5 & 6) uses a single prism to fold the light path along the phone’s width, with four ball bearings used to perform optical image stabilization. The dense front lens suggests it may be glass. The image sensor is a Sony device and appears conventional.
Figure 5. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 10 MP Periscope ×10 camera (X-ray).
Figure 6. PCB photo of Sony CIS, 1.12 µm/pixel.
The Proximity Sensor (Figure 7) on the front of the phone is a new AMS device. Three Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) are used as well as an unusual sensor not seen in our previously analyzed AMS devices.
Figure 7. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Proximity Sensor, new AMS device. Three VCSEL zoom (left) and sensor zoom (right).
The Ambient Light/ToF Sensor on the back of the phone (Figure 8) is a new STMicroelectronics device. At the package level, the device is like the STMicroelectronics VL53L5 ToF sensor (Figure 9), previously analyzed in report PKG-2009-801.
Figure 8. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Ambient Light/ToF Sensor, new STMicroelectronics 53L812AA.
Figure 9. STMicroelectronics VL53L5 ToF.
Table 1 summaries the camera and optical devices currently identified in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Devices identified in last year’s Galaxy S22 Ultra are shown for comparison.
| Samsung S23 Ultra Device Function | 传感器尺寸/像素间距 | Sensor Manufacturer | Samsung S22 Ultra Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main (Wide) Back Camera | 200 MP/0.6 µm/pixel | Samsung | 108 MP Samsung S5KHM3 (0.8 µm/pixel) |
| Periscope ×10 Zoom Back Camera | 10 MP/1.12 µm/pixel | Sony | 10 MP Sony IMX754 |
| Ultrawide Back Camera | 12 MP/1.4 µm/pixel | Sony | 12 MP Sony IMX563 |
| Telephoto ×3 Zoom Back Camera | 10 MP/1.12 µm/pixel | Sony | 10 MP Sony IMX754 |
| Front Selfie Camera | 12 MP/1.12 µm/pixel | Samsung | 40 MP Samsung S5KGH1 |
| IR Proximity Sensor Front | NA | AMS | Sensortek STK33915 |
| Ambient Light/ToF Sensor Back | NA | STMicroelectronics | AMS TSL2510 STMicroelectronics VL53L5 |
Table 1. Camera and Optical Sensors: Preliminary Results.
TechInsights’ analysis is continuing and will be released as available to subscribers in the appropriate Image Sensor channels (DEF/DEP/PKG/ISP).
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