Mobile phone image sensor Stemway SC512HS released: 50 million pixels, ultra-low power consumption
Stemway, a domestic CMOS image sensor manufacturer, has announced the SC512HS, a new mobile phone sensor featuring 50 million pixels and a compact 0.64 μm pixel size.
The SC512HS offers high dynamic range, low noise, and fast focusing, balancing performance with cost. It is designed for mainstream smartphone main cameras as well as mid-to-high-end auxiliary cameras.
Based on Stemway's patented PixGain HDR technology, the sensor achieves a dynamic range of up to 81 dB, preserving more light and dark details in challenging environments such as backlighting or strong light. Its read noise is only about 0.75 e-, roughly 50% lower than comparable products, resulting in cleaner and more detailed night shots.
The SC512HS supports full-size 50 million pixel output and includes on-chip 2x digital lossless zoom. For focusing, it offers two modes: AllPix ADAF, which enables 100% full-pixel focus in low-light conditions for fast and accurate performance, and Sparse PDAF, which activates under normal lighting to reduce power consumption with 6% pixel phase detection.
Manufactured using a 55 nm stacked process, the sensor's ultra-low-power design reduces heat during shooting, extends high-definition video recording time, and improves battery life. Stemway confirmed that samples have already been distributed, with mass production scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
Stemway (思特威) is a Chinese semiconductor company specializing in CMOS image sensors. Founded in Shanghai, the company has become one of the leading domestic suppliers of imaging solutions for smartphones, automotive systems, and security devices. Stemway is known for its proprietary HDR technologies and competitive sensor designs that balance performance with efficiency. Its products are widely adopted by Chinese smartphone manufacturers, and the company continues to expand its presence in international markets.
