Samsung’s new Chromebook to feature a 13-megapixel Sony IMX258 sensor

It's been a couple of months since we heard that Samsung was working on developing a new Chromebook for the consumers. And till date, we have heard things like the Chromebook will bear the codename "Nautilus" and that it will be a 2-in-1 Chromebook with a detachable keyboard as well as things like it will be Kaby Lake powered device.

However, reports about Samsung's upcoming Chromebook have also been popping up here and there and they have further suggested that the device is going to come in a variety of configurations including Core m3 or i5 or i7, up to 256GB of storage, a 10.6-inch or 12-inch display and Samsung's famous S-Pen.

Now, reports about the Chromebook have yet again surfaced online and this time it suggests that Samsung's new product could be the first Chromebook ever to feature a 13-megapixel camera.

While it sounds exciting, new code references have been discovered by folks at chromeunboxed and their report notes that this finding confirms that the device codenamed "Nautilus" is indeed a detachable Chromebook by Samsung.

Further, the publication has stated that they were able to gather the exact camera module that will be utilized for the upcoming device. The code references seemingly reveal the presence of the Sony IMX258 sensor. Moreover, the IMX258 is a 13-megapixel Exmor RS 1/3.06-inch sensor with 1.1-micron pixels. Interestingly, this is the same sensor used in LG G6 smartphone.

Considering this report it looks like Samsung's new Chromebook will feature a 13-megapixel camera and it will be the first in the company's history and in the Chromebook series. The publication notes that it will be a big step up for Chromebooks as no other manufacturer offers a camera with a resolution higher than 720p in their devices.
And there is another factor as well. Since Chromebook will be detachable, users could use the camera to record many things on the go. One thing that is still a mystery though is whether the camera will be a rear or forward-facing one.

While pieces of information are limited, it will also be interesting to see what software optimizations and improvements will Google make or use in the upcoming device. As of now, the camera app on Chromebooks is not that great. Having a high-end camera sensor with a good software will be great for taking pictures.

Samsung is expected to unveil the new product at Consumer Electronics Show 2018 happening in Las Vegas this month. We should be hearing more about it in the coming days.