Huawei is preparing the first major flagship line of smartphones for 2026, and the latest information reveals significant changes in the camera segment. According to new information, the company is currently testing different sensors for the Pura 90 series, combining solutions from two manufacturers: OmniVision and SmartSens.
The information comes from well-known Weibo source @DigitalChatStation, which states that Huawei is conducting A/B testing of the cameras on engineering prototypes of the Pura 90 phone. This phase involves parallel testing of two hardware options in order to determine which solution gives better results in real conditions of use.
Two 200MP sensors in the Pura 90 head-to-head comparison
As part of the testing, Huawei compares the OmniVision OV52A sensor made in the 40 nm process and the SmartSens SCC80XS sensor made in 22 nm technology. Although both sensors are the same physical size, SmartSens has more advanced hardware features.
The OV52A is the latest 200 MP sensor from OmniVision, intended for both main and periscope cameras. It has a 1/1.28-inch format, a pixel size of 0.61 µm and uses 2×2 RMSC technology. This sensor is engineered to improve light collection and image quality, resulting in sharper, brighter and more detailed photos.
The SCC80XS is a 200 MP ultra-high resolution CMOS sensor based on the SmartClarity-SL Pro platform. It brings improvements in sensitivity, dynamic range, energy efficiency and overall image quality. It supports both 2× (50 MP) and 4× (12.5 MP) zoom within the sensor itself, allowing flexible photography from close to distant scenes without losing focus.
Huawei has not yet made a final decision on which sensor will be used in the Pura 90 series. There is a possibility for the company to implement both solutions, depending on the specific variant of the device.
Interestingly, Huawei previously used OmniVision sensors, but switched to SmartSens with the Pura 80 series last year, after moving away from Sony and other vendors. OmniVision is a company of American origin that today operates under Chinese ownership, while SmartSens is a domestic Chinese manufacturer that Huawei increasingly relies on as part of its technological independence strategy.
Whatever choice it makes, it is clear that Huawei is preparing a serious step forward in mobile photography for the Pura 90 series, reports HC Newsroom.