Samsung Electronics is poised to become a new supplier of image sensors for Apple’s iPhones, potentially starting as early as 2026, challenging Sony’s longstanding exclusive role.
On the 24th (local time), Ming-Chi Kuo, an Apple analyst at Taiwan’s TF International Securities, stated on his social media that Samsung Electronics is expected to supply image sensors for Apple iPhones starting in 2026.
He predicted that Apple will use Samsung’s 1/2.6-inch 48-megapixel ultra-wide CMOS image sensor and mentioned that Samsung has even set up a dedicated team for this purpose.
An image sensor, known as the “eye of the smartphone,” is a system semiconductor that converts light entering the camera lens into digital signals to create images. Currently, Sony holds the largest market share globally, with Samsung Electronics following.
According to IT specialist media, The Verge reported that in 2022, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook mentioned Sony had been supplying components for iPhone cameras for over 10 years, a rare disclosure as Apple typically does not reveal its component suppliers.
In fact, past reports indicate that Sony’s image sensors have been used in products such as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 8. The Verge noted that changing the image sensor supplier will not suddenly make iPhone photos look like those taken with Samsung smartphones.
This is because Apple processes photos through its software, aiming for images that closely resemble reality. The Verge explained that using a 48-megapixel sensor could result in higher-quality photos compared to the current 12-megapixel sensor in the iPhone 15 Pro.
