Samsung to manufacture three-layer stacked image sensors for Apple.
Sony remains Apple’s current sensor supplier but lacks a US facility.
Apple’s partnership ties into its expanded American Manufacturing Program.
Apple is reportedly working with Samsung to make digital image sensors for the upcoming iPhones. This comes after a report by The Financial Times claims that this is Apple’s strategy to localise its supply chain and further invest in the US-based manufacturing. This follows Apple’s announcement on Wednesday that it is collaborating with Samsung’s semiconductor plant in Austin, Texas, to introduce a cutting-edge new chip-making technology that has never been used globally.
SurveyAccording to the report, which cites sources familiar with the situation, Samsung will manufacture three-layer stacked image sensors for Apple’s iPhone 18 lineup, which is expected next year. At the moment, image sensors are only provided to Apple by Sony and are manufactured in Japan under a contract with TSMC. But since Sony doesn’t have a chip manufacturing plant in the US, it is more susceptible to possible tariffs on foreign-made parts.
Sony told The Financial Times it remains confident in its leadership in sensor technology and will continue to advance by developing larger, more densely packed sensors.
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The new Apple-Samsung partnership is also linked to a $100 billion expansion of Apple’s American Manufacturing Program. Apple now intends to invest $600 billion to move more of its supply chain to the United States.
In related news, US President Donald Trump has issued an order raising the tariff on Indian imports by 25%. However, Apple products, including iPhones, are currently exempt, following CEO Tim Cook’s announcement of an additional $100 billion investment in the United States.
The reports also stated that Trump and his administration may disclose a different framework for Apple in the coming days. However, it has not been confirmed yet.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
