SmartSens, a leading supplier of CMOS image sensors for mobile devices, has officially launched the SC525XS—a brand-new image sensor designed for high-end smartphone applications. Built upon SmartSens’ proprietary SmartClarity-SL Pro technology platform, this product utilizes an advanced domestic 28+nm stacked process technology. Featuring a pixel size of 0.7 microns and a resolution of 50 megapixels, it is primarily targeted at front-facing cameras and wide-angle auxiliary cameras in flagship smartphones.
The SmartSens SC525XS integrates a suite of SmartSens’ self-developed technologies, including PixGain HDR (High Dynamic Range), SFCPixel-SL (low-noise light sensing), AllPix ADAF (full-pixel autofocus), and on-chip Remosaic pixel reconstruction capabilities. With a dynamic range reaching 80dB, the sensor supports various high-frame-rate video modes—such as 4K at 120fps and 4K at 60fps with PixGain HDR—while effectively suppressing motion artifacts to enhance video fluidity and detail reproduction. In low-light environments, the sensor achieves a read noise as low as 0.86e and a sensitivity of up to 1904mV/lux·s, resulting in brighter and more detailed night-scene imagery.
Notably, the SmartSens SC525XS supports an “Always-On” low-power mode, consuming a mere 1.7mW. This enables continuous visual interaction features—such as facial detection and gaze-to-wake functionality—to operate around the clock. Upon detecting a human face, the sensor can rapidly switch to its standard imaging mode, ensuring both speed and accuracy for device unlocking. Furthermore, during standard operation, the sensor’s overall power consumption is approximately 30% lower than that of competing products with similar specifications, helping to reduce device heat generation and extend video recording duration.
Regarding autofocus, the SC525XS offers a dual-mode solution: in low-light scenarios, it activates AllPix ADAF to achieve 100% full-pixel autofocus coverage; when lighting conditions are sufficient, it switches to Sparse PDAF mode, utilizing 6% of its pixels for phase detection to maintain autofocus precision while simultaneously reducing power consumption. Additionally, the on-chip Remosaic function eliminates the need to rely on the smartphone SoC’s computing power, allowing the sensor to directly output 50-megapixel still images or 12.5-megapixel HD video, thereby reducing system load and boosting the efficiency of AI-driven image processing. Currently, samples of the SmartSens SC525XS are available; mass production is expected to commence in the second quarter of 2026. The sensor is poised for application in the auxiliary camera systems of next-generation high-end smartphones, further enhancing the imaging experience for front-facing and wide-angle lenses.
