Samsung just built one of its most advanced camera sensors to date, but it’s not going into a Galaxy phone. Instead, the new ISOCELL HPB will debut inside Vivo’s upcoming flagships, while Samsung’s own Galaxy S26 Ultra settles for less.
ISOCELL HPB is custom-made for Vivo’s next camera beasts
Samsung’s System LSI division has developed a custom 200MP ISOCELL sensor for Vivo’s X300 Pro and X300 Ultra. Dubbed the ISOCELL HPB, this sensor is tailored for high-end mobile photography. The “B” stands for Blue, hinting at its unique optical layer, a special blue glass element with Zeiss T* coating to reduce glare and ghosting.
Here’s what it brings to the table:
- 1/1.4-inch sensor size
- 0.56μm pixels
- 200MP wide-angle (23mm) capture
- 50MP telephoto (50mm) capability
- Multi-frame fusion for sharper image stacking
The X300 Pro will use the HPB sensor as its main camera, while the X300 Ultra will mount it on its telephoto lens. Paired with Vivo’s Blueprint image algorithms, the setup promises improved zoom clarity, better subject tracking, and more refined video capture.
Vivo confirms the X300 Pro is coming, with a 200MP periscope camera and serious stabilization upgrades. A sequel worth watching.
Why isn’t Galaxy S26 Ultra getting this sensor?
That’s the frustrating part: Samsung’s own Galaxy S26 Ultra won’t be using this upgraded HPB sensor. Instead, it’s expected to ship with:
- A 200MP main sensor with OIS
- A 50MP ultrawide with autofocus
- A 12MP 3x telephoto
- A 50MP 5x telephoto on a smaller 1/2.55-inch sensor
That’s a downgrade in sensor size and potential clarity, especially for long-range shots.
Time for Samsung to rethink its camera priorities
Vivo is clearly pushing hardware boundaries with help from Samsung’s own sensor tech. Meanwhile, Samsung seems content to stick with incremental upgrades and skip features like sensor-shift stabilization, which could significantly improve handheld sharpness.
Until Samsung starts putting its best sensors in its own phones, it risks falling behind in the one area it used to dominate mobile photography. Building the future for rivals is good business, but holding back your own flagship? That’s a harder sell.
