Apple is all set to ditch Sony and get cosy with Samsung, as the Cupertino giant plans to shift the camera sensors on its upcoming iPhone 18 series. Until now, Sony has been the only supplier of iPhone camera sensors, manufacturing them in Japan. However, recent reports suggest that Samsung will produce these sensors at its factory in Austin, Texas. While this may look like a sudden shift, it fits well with Apple’s long-term production plans in the United States. With this move, the company has also diversified its existing supply chain.
Samsung already operates a large manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas, but this project marks a new chapter for the site. The company is expected to install new production equipment and has begun hiring engineers, technicians, and managers to support the setup. Earlier this month, Samsung reportedly informed local authorities that it plans to invest around 19 billion dollars to expand operations at the Austin facility.
This investment highlights how serious Samsung is about the project. Production of the new camera sensors could begin as early as March 2026, once testing and setup are complete. If everything goes as planned, the facility will play a key role in supplying components for Apple’s future iPhones.
The new camera sensors, currently in development, are expected to feature a three-layer stacked design. In simple terms, the layers are placed on top of each other rather than being spread out. This design will allow the camera to capture more detail, perform better in low-light conditions, and use less power.\
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It will also help the camera handle bright and dark areas more smoothly and analyse photos more quickly. The fact that this approach has not yet been used at a large commercial scale adds to the intrigue. If successful, Samsung could set a new benchmark for smartphone cameras in the coming years.
The new sensors are believed to be designed mainly for the iPhone 18 lineup, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2027. Some reports suggest Apple may reserve these sensors for higher-end Pro models, while others indicate they could appear across more variants.
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Apple is said to have finalised its agreement with Samsung in August earlier this year. This long lead time gives both companies ample opportunity to test and refine the sensors before they reach consumers.