For over ten years, Sony has held the exclusive contract for manufacturing camera sensors for the iPhone, but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested last year that this might change with the iPhone 18. This has been supported by another recent report that provides additional insights.
The new report indicates that Samsung is developing a 3-layer stacked camera sensor for Apple, which is expected to enhance the performance of upcoming iPhone cameras.
Sony’s iPhone Camera Sensors
Sony has consistently produced the most sophisticated smartphone camera sensors, and it’s been widely acknowledged that they have supplied all the sensors utilized in iPhones.
In addition to teardowns that have revealed Sony model numbers, Apple CEO Tim Cook confirmed this collaboration a couple of years ago with a tweet about his visit to Sony’s camera sensor facility in Kumamoto.
We’ve partnered with Sony for over a decade to develop the leading camera sensors for iPhone. A big thank you to Ken and the entire team for the tour of the cutting-edge facility in Kumamoto today.
However, Samsung May Produce One for the iPhone 18
Kuo reported last summer that Samsung is anticipated to manufacture at least one sensor for the iPhone 18 expected in 2026.
Samsung is likely to start delivering 1/2.6-inch 48MP ultra-wide CMOS image sensors (CIS) to Apple for iPhones as soon as 2026, breaking Sony’s long-standing dominance in supplying CIS to Apple. To facilitate this, Samsung has formed a dedicated team to support Apple.
Exclusive: Samsung is developing a “3-layer stacked” image sensor in a PD-TR-Logic configuration for Apple. This sensor is more advanced than Sony’s current Exmor RS technology, and it is feasible that it could be considered for the main sensor.
A stacked sensor means that the processing electronics are installed directly atop the sensor. A three-layer design would integrate more circuitry onto the sensor, leading to faster signal processing. This advancement will enhance the camera’s responsiveness.
Stacked sensors also hold promise in minimizing certain noise sources, thereby improving image quality.
Additionally, Jukanlosreve mentions that Samsung is developing a 500MP sensor for its smartphones. While this may seem excessive, it aligns with Samsung’s trend of pursuing eye-catching megapixel counts, even if the actual results may yield noisier images.
DMN’s Perspective
Two reports alone offer limited evidence regarding what would be a significant shift in Apple’s supply chain, but there is no doubt that Samsung is actively trying to secure business opportunities with the iPhone manufacturer.
Moreover, Apple typically seeks multiple suppliers for vital components, both for risk management and to enhance its negotiation leverage. Thus, even if Apple continues to source sensors from Sony, it is entirely plausible that it would also look to Samsung.
While the report suggests this new sensor might be for the main camera, it seems more probable that Apple would start by testing it with a secondary sensor.
Photo of iPhone 16 Pro Max camera module: iFixit
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
