Apple has published a patent for a new image sensor. The standout feature is that the proposed sensor promises up to 20 stops of dynamic range.
What has Apple done?
Apple has published details of its patent for a new sensor in the United States. The patent has the number US 12,342,091 B2 and was dated June 24, 2025. A patent gives the holder exclusive rights to make and use an invention. It also means that the patent holder can take legal action to stop anyone else from using their invention without their permission. In the U.S., patents usually last for 20 years.
What does the patent say?
Apple’s patent is headed “Image sensor with stacked pixels having high dynamic range and low noise.” The document also explains that the sensor uses a 3-transisitor (3T), rather than a 4-transistor (4T) design. It states that the sensor comprises “3T pixels of a novel design that achieves high dynamic range with low noise and without the artifacts that can occur in conventional 4T pixel arrays.”
High dynamic range
Apple’s patent says that the proposed sensor has a dynamic range of about 120 dB. This equates to around an astounding 20 stops of dynamic range. To put that in context, the industry-leading Arri Alexa 35 has a dynamic range of 17 stops. This means the Apple sensor would be able to cope with much greater extremes of light and dark in a single image.
How does it work?
Apple’s proposed new sensor uses what the company calls a “lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) circuit”. This delivers the sensor’s high dynamic range by managing light overflow across three charge storage levels. As a result, it can handle a wide range of lighting conditions, from indoors to bright sunlight, without automatic exposure control.
Additionally, each pixel on the sensor has a current memory circuit that senses the level of noise. The noise can then be suppressed.
What we think
Apple’s new sensor is an exciting new development. A sensor with 20 stops of dynamic range could deliver HDR images that would beat any cinema camera on the market. The patent also promises images with low noise. An iPhone with this sensor could really rival a “real” camera. Also, the sensor technology could be adapted for compact cinema cameras as well. However, it’s important to remember that this is just a patent at this point in time and may not be pursued. Hopefully, Apply does continue its development and brings this sensor to the market.
