The Next Smartphone Spec Race: Unnecessarily Fast Slow-Mo

If a report from South Korea proves true, the next smartphone spec race is not on quality, but on speed. The report suggests that Samsung is set to create its own 3-layer image sensor that's able to utilize DRAM to snap and process photos faster than ever before. Faster than any smartphone camera's ever allowed in the past, that is to say.

The report from ETNews suggested this week that Samsung's next move is ordering special equipment for mass-production of its first 3-layered image sensor. Samsung would be the second company in the world to create a 3-layer image sensor for mobile devices. This sensor is said to be able to reach up to 1,000 frames per second – speedier than any solution (for a mobile device) before it.

The first 3-layer image sensor manufactured and released for a smartphone was made by Sony. Sony's solution also used its own DRAM inside their 3-layer image sensor. DRAM sits between the pixel section and the circuit section of the 3-layer sensor, acting as a holding cell for the images snapped by the sensor. Sony's solution, too was (and is) able to capture photos at up to 1,000 frames per second.

Above you'll see a bit of slow motion made with a camera using Sony's 3-layer image sensor. This is a bit simulated since we can't actually play 1,000 frames per second in YouTube. The power should be plain to see. This power is in the Xperia XZ Premium right this minute – not that you'll buy it.

For the average user there's little benefit to being able to capture super-duper insanely-slow slow-motion video. It's only for the likes of you and I that such next-level power is made, and by us will it be truly appreciated.