For over a decade, Sony has held the exclusive contract to manufacture camera sensors for iPhones, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo indicated last year that this might change with the iPhone 18. This assertion has now received support from additional reports, including one that offers further insights.
Samsung is reportedly developing a 3-layer stacked camera sensor for Apple, which is expected to enhance the capabilities of future iPhone cameras. Update: Digitimes now supports this claim …
Sony’s iPhone Camera Sensors
Sony has been the leader in creating sophisticated smartphone camera sensors, and it is well-known they supply all the sensors used in iPhones.
Evidence from teardowns displaying recognized Sony model numbers, along with Apple CEO Tim Cook’s public acknowledgment a couple of years ago, illustrates this partnership during a visit to Sony’s camera sensor facility in Kumamoto.
We’ve collaborated with Sony for over a decade to produce the world’s best camera sensors for iPhone. A big thanks to Ken and the entire team for the wonderful tour of the state-of-the-art facility in Kumamoto today.
However, Samsung May Supply One for the iPhone 18
Nonetheless, Kuo mentioned last summer that Samsung is anticipated to provide at least one of the sensors for the iPhone 18 in 2026.
Samsung is expected to start supplying 1/2.6-inch 48MP ultra-wide CMOS image sensors (CIS) to Apple for iPhones as soon as 2026, marking the end of Sony’s long-standing monopoly on supplying CIS to Apple. To facilitate this, Samsung has formed a dedicated team to cater to Apple’s needs.
Leaker Jukanlosreve, known for primarily posting Samsung-related content, supports this perspective and claims to have specifics regarding the sensor.
Exclusive: Samsung is in the process of developing a “3-layer stacked” image sensor with a PD-TR-Logic configuration for Apple. This sensor is said to outpace Sony’s current Exmor RS, making it a viable candidate for the main sensor.
A stacked sensor configuration means the processing electronics are directly mounted to the back of the sensor, and a three-layer design would include additional circuitry, likely enhancing signal processing speeds. This could lead to quicker camera response times.
Such sensors may also have the capability to minimize certain noise sources, thereby improving image quality.
In another context, Jukanlosreve mentions that Samsung is also working on a 500MP sensor for its smartphones. While it may seem extravagant, it aligns with the company’s trend of pursuing impressive megapixel figures, even at the cost of image clarity.
DMN’s Perspective
While the reports are still scant, they signify a potentially major shift in Apple’s supply chain. There is no doubt that Samsung is striving earnestly to earn Apple’s business.
Furthermore, Apple tends to favor multiple suppliers for key components to bolster its contingency plans and strengthen its bargaining position. Hence, even if Apple opts to stick with Sony sensors, it is entirely plausible that it would also seek to acquire some from Samsung.
Although the reports indicate that the new sensor may be for the primary camera, it seems more likely that Apple will first experiment with a secondary sensor.
Image of iPhone 16 Pro Max camera module: iFixit
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