Both OmniVision and Sony Supplying 8-Megapixel Camera Sensors for iPhone 5?

DigiTimes reports that both OmniVision Technologies and Sony have won orders to supply an 8-megapixel camera sensor for the next-generation iPhone, with Apple's existing supplier OmniVision reportedly set to handle 90% of the load.

OmniVision has grabbed a majority of total CMOS image sensor (CIS) orders placed by Apple for the fifth-generation iPhone, market sources have claimed. Meanwhile, power amplifier (PA) supplier Avago Technologies has landed orders for the WCDMA version of the device for its first time, according to the sources.

About 90% of the CIS orders for Apple's new iPhone will be supplied by OmniVision, while Sony takes up the remainder, the sources said. The upcoming device will feature a built-in 8-megapixel camera, the sources added.

Sony's potential role in supplying camera sensors for the fifth-generation iPhone has a rather long history, dating all the way back to an April 2010 analyst report claiming that the company had been selected by Apple to supply an 8-megapixel component, although that report suggested that Sony would be the sole, or at least primary, supplier.

By this February, another analyst had reported that OmniVision would most likely be the exclusive provider of the image sensor for the next iPhone, although Sony could take a small portion of the orders.

And in April of this year, Sony CEO Howard Stringer reportedly made comments strongly suggesting that his company is indeed sending image sensors to Apple, although some follow-up reports suggested that Stringer's comments had been misinterpreted.