For years, smartphone OEMs have collaborated with partners to improve camera light sensitivity by adopting larger lens apertures, increasing image sensor pixel sizes, implementing unique color filters, among other strategies.
Traditional color filters enable accurate color reproduction but block a large portion of incoming light. eyeo has introduced image sensors with a vertical waveguide layer that splits light based on wavelength, allowing more efficient use of incident light and replacing the RGB filters.
eyeo’s color-splitting technology maximizes incident light without enlarging the sensor or the camera module, and this would offer great value, especially in low-light environments.
This marks a pivotal moment for the camera industry, as eyeo’s unique approach is redefining image sensor design by maximizing sensitivity without increasing sensor size.

Smartphone OEMs have been focusing on enhancing photography capabilities for flagship models to deliver professional-level image quality across various scenarios, using single-lens reflex cameras as a benchmark. A key difference lies in sensor size – SLR cameras can support high resolution with pixel sizes several times larger than those in smartphones. Larger pixels offer better light sensitivity, enabling improved photon capture in low-light situations and more accurate reproduction of life-like colors.

Over time, image sensor sizes have increased nearly fivefold, and the combined cost of sensors and camera modules has tripled, significantly increasing the Bill of Materials (BoM) costs. This puts considerable pressure on both the camera supply chain and OEMs in an intensely competitive market.

Industry Challenges: Hard to Break Through in Pixel Size and Color Filter

In as early as 2022, Sony began mass-producing the industry’s first smartphone-oriented one-inch image sensor, the IMX989. However, due to the physical thickness constraints of smartphones, no further increase in maximum sensor size has been feasible. For example, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra features a one-inch main camera module that is over 11 mm thick, while most flagship smartphones remain around 9 mm. Additionally, OEMs continue to prioritize thinner designs, making significant growth in smartphone image sensor size unlikely in the near term.

To boost light sensitivity, OEMs have turned to larger apertures – such as the Huawei Pura 70 series, which features a main camera with an F-number of 1.4. However, such designs bring trade-offs: higher lens costs, bulkier modules, and shallow depth of field (DoF), which can result in pixel crosstalk and glare artifacts.

In addition to pixels and lenses, color filters also play a key role in image sensor photosensitivity. Typically arranged above sensor pixels in an RGGB (Red-Green-Green-Blue) pattern, these filters block non-target colors – discarding about 70% of incoming light before it reaches the photodetector. To increase the amount of collected light, OEMs like Huawei are experimenting with new designs such as RGBW (Red-Green-Blue-White) and RYYB (Red-Yellow-Yellow-Blue), which significantly improve light intake. The yellow filter in the RYYB design allows both red and green light to pass simultaneously, increasing light capture by 30%-40% compared to traditional pure green filters. However, this leads to excessive red components in the incident light, compromising color reproduction accuracy and white balance versus RGGB. Therefore, algorithmic compensation becomes necessary.

These challenges become even more pronounced when integrating advanced sensors into compact devices like AR or AI glasses, which face strict constraints on size and power consumption.

eyeo: Introducing Innovative Color-splitting Technology

Dutch startup eyeo is revolutionizing imaging with its nanophotonic color-splitting technology – set to disrupt the $25 billion image sensor industry. Instead of filtering photons, eyeo sensors split light by wavelength and direct it efficiently to the adjacent sensor pixels (e.g. red to one pixel, blue to another), tripling light sensitivity compared to existing technologies. Importantly, the waveguides transmit over 90% of incoming light in the visible spectrum (400-700 nm), outperforming color filter-based designs. This is particularly valuable in low-light environments, where traditional sensors often struggle to gather enough light for clear and reliable imaging.

Compatible with any CMOS sensor platform, eyeo’s single-photon-guiding capability breaks resolution barriers, enabling sub-0.5µm pixels for ultra-compact, high-performance imaging.

With 10 billion image sensors sold annually, color-splitting technology holds vast market potential. eyeo has partnered with image sensor manufacturers and foundries to commercialize its innovation. eyeo plans to begin mass production at its own factory in 2026 and expand to a wide range of applications.

Summary and Outlook

Camera performance is one of the top features influencing smartphone purchase decisions. Smartphone OEMs are striving to deliver DSLR-level photography in increasingly compact devices.
Traditional CMOS image sensors rely on a mosaic of RGB filters that block nearly 70% of incoming light and thus limit camera sensitivity.
eyeo’s color-splitting technology, guiding light by waveguide rather than filtering, allows for smaller and higher-performing sensors, leading to significant savings in optics, lens complexity, and housing designs.
This imaging advancement extends beyond smartphones, with applications in automotive (ADAS systems), XR, security, and medical diagnostics, where image quality is critical to product functionality and value.

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