For over ten years, Sony has held the exclusive contract to manufacture camera sensors for the iPhone, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated last year that this status might change for the iPhone 18. This prediction is now supported by two additional reports, with one providing further insights.
According to sources, Samsung is reportedly developing a 3-layer stacked camera sensor for Apple, which is expected to enhance the capabilities of upcoming iPhone cameras. Update: Digitimes is now confirming this information…
Sony’s iPhone Camera Sensors
Sony has consistently produced the most sophisticated smartphone camera sensors, and it’s widely known that all iPhone sensors have been sourced from them.
Teardowns that reveal Sony model numbers provide ample proof, and Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly acknowledged their partnership a couple of years ago, sharing details of his tour at Sony’s camera sensor facility in Kumamoto.
We have been collaborating with Sony for over a decade to develop leading camera sensors for the iPhone. A big thank you to Ken and everyone at the facility for the insightful tour in Kumamoto today.
But Samsung Might Supply One for the iPhone 18
Kuo mentioned last summer that at least one sensor for the iPhone 18 is expected to come from Samsung in 2026.
Samsung is poised to start delivering 1/2.6-inch 48MP ultra-wide CMOS image sensors (CIS) to Apple as soon as 2026, breaking Sony’s long-standing monopoly on CIS for Apple. To facilitate this, Samsung has formed a dedicated team for Apple.
Exclusive: Samsung is in the process of developing a “3-layer stacked” image sensor in a PD-TR-Logic configuration for Apple. This design is considered more advanced than Sony’s current Exmor RS, and it may be a viable option for the main sensor.
A stacked sensor indicates that the processing electronics are directly mounted on the backside of the sensor, and a three-layer version would have increased circuitry integration, potentially enhancing signal processing speeds. This would lead to better camera responsiveness.
Additionally, stacked sensors may help reduce noise, improving overall image quality.
Separately, Jukanlosreve mentions Samsung is working on a 500MP sensor for its smartphones. While this may seem excessive, it aligns with Samsung’s trend of pursuing eye-catching megapixel counts, regardless of noise levels.
DMN’s Perspective
Although a couple of reports provide limited proof of such a significant shift in Apple’s supply chain, it’s clear that Samsung is making considerable efforts to gain Apple’s business.
Moreover, Apple typically seeks multiple suppliers for key components for risk management and negotiation leverage. Hence, even if Apple continues to utilize Sony sensors, it’s entirely plausible that they would also consider sourcing some from Samsung.
While the report suggests that the new sensor may be intended for the primary camera, it seems more probable that Apple would first explore its use in a secondary sensor.
Photo of the iPhone 16 Pro Max camera module: iFixit
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