Samsung to Supply Image Sensors for iPhone in 2026 [Kuo]

Samsung is likely to supply Apple with images sensors for iPhone in 2026, according to TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Samsung is expected to begin shipping 1/2.6-inch 48MP ultra-wide CMOS image sensors (CIS) to Apple for iPhones as early as 2026, breaking Sony's years-long monopoly on supplying CIS to Apple. To this end, Samsung has established a dedicated team to serve Apple.

Previous reports have purported that Samsung was asked to start development of the image sensor late last year after Sony failed to supply its sensors in a timely fashion.


Allegedly, the new iPhone CIS will be made by stacking three wafers on a copper pad through wafer-to-wafer hybrid bonding. Additionally, each of the three wafers will feature the photodiode, transistors, and analog digital converter logics. Previous sensors only used two wafers and the photodiode and transistors were on a single wafer.

While Kuo expects Samsung to enter the supply chain in 2026, The Elec has claimed that Samsung could supply image sensors for this year's iPhone 16.

Sony is expected to remain the primary supplier of image sensors for Apple, even if these rumors prove true. Please download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more updates!