Samsung says it is making a solution for dual cameras in cheap smartphones

Samsung announces a ‘total solution’ that should enable a dual camera with functions such as a depth of field effect in low-cost smartphones. It is a combination of sensors and algorithms.

According to Samsung, the Isocell Dual Software Solution enables dual cameras without an additional image signal processor and should bring the functionality to more mid-range and low-end smartphones. The South Korean electronics manufacturer will supply the combination to other smartphone manufacturers.

Samsung comes with two variants. The first is a 13-megapixel sensor combined with a 5-megapixel sensor and the necessary algorithms to take pictures with a depth of field effect, where the depth of field can be set afterwards. The other variant consists of two 8-megapixel cameras and low-light shooting algorithms, which combine multiple photos for less noise.

Samsung states that such functionality is now reserved for high-end smartphones with an extra isp. The combination of sensors and algorithms that Samsung provides does not require an additional processor for image processing.

According to Samsung, this is the first ‘total solution’ for a dual camera, with both the hardware and software. Algorithms and software have become increasingly important in recent years to improve the quality of smartphone photos. For example, Google provides its Pixel 2 devices with an extra soc, the Visual Core, which is fully focused on image processing. Apple has also provided its iPhone 8 models and the iPhone X with its own isp.