While all eyes are on the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, Samsung still has a lot going on behind the scenes for the next big thing. This time, it could be new information about one of the new cameras in next year's Galaxy S22.

Noted leaker Ice Universe dropped two bombshells in a single tweet: the first is that Samsung's 200MP ISOCELL sensor will be available in September 2021. The second is that the Korean manufacturer is also working on a 50MP RGBW camera sensor. Another informant, replying to a tweet from Ice Universe, said the 50MP sensor will be on the Galaxy S22.

But you may be wondering: what does RGBW mean? Most camera sensors, especially those in cell phones, rely on red, green, and blue (RGB) sub-pixels to reproduce the colors in a photo. This supposed 50MP sensor is RGBW because it adds a fourth white sub-pixel.

The question then arises: what does the white subpixel offer that the traditional RGB subpixel does not? The answer is not necessarily simple, as there are several possible uses for white subpixels. The most relevant to those using a phone with that sensor (perhaps the Galaxy S22) is that white can help highlight high-contrast scenes.

Usually, phones must use what is available in the RGB spectrum to correct for high contrast, but having dedicated white sub-pixels can make the final image look more realistic. These pictures could, at least in theory, look closer to what our eyes see. This does not take into account Samsung's other post-processing.

In short, having an RGBW sensor could mean a great deal for enhanced photos and videos, especially in challenging situations. However, the sensor itself is only one piece of the pie, and it alone does not make a "good" photo. Modern phones do much of the editing work for you; some, like the Pixel 5 and iPhone 12, prefer more natural color reproduction, while others, like the Galaxy S21, prefer a more saturated presentation. It is up to the individual to decide what appeals to them.

The Galaxy S22 won't be available until January or February 2022, but we'll have a few more details by then. In the meantime, we have new foldables to get excited about since Unpacked is just a week out; check out our Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 preview hubs.