Last month, a report claimed that both existing supplier OmniVision Technologies and newcomer Sony had been lined up to produce 8-megapixel image sensors for the next-generation iPhone, with OmniVision said to be set to shoulder 90% of the load.
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But Forbes today shares a report from FBR Capital Markets analyst Craig Berger, who claims that OmniVision has run into production troubles that may have caused the company to miss Apple's deadline for commercial-scale production of the sensors. As a result, Apple may have decided to shift the majority of production over to Sony.
Berger writes that he still expects the next iPhone - which he and others call the iPhone 4S - to have an 8 MP camera, but adds that "OmniVision may be having technical difficulties with its new CMOS sensor, possibly risking its iPhone socket supplier status."
The analyst adds his contacts says OmniVision "may have missed Apple's commercial production deadline," losing its lead supplier status for the image sensor to Sony.
The report notes that the image sensor chips are manufactured under contract by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which is experiencing unacceptably low yields on the chips.
OmniVision's stock is currently down about 4% after having been down as much 10% following the release of the report.
Top Rated Comments
Lol...that would be nice, but I doubt this thing will be fashioned in all Sony attire. I do wonder, however, if one camera sensor will be noticeably superior to the other, or if they are just the same tooling on the lines to make the exact same chip?
Cue the threads asking "Which camera chip do you have in your iPhone 4S?? Post your production number and test photos and fill out a poll so we can all yell at Apple together and email Steve Jobs and stuff!! That will show them."
I have asked on another thread, but can't find any info. Just curious if anyone has seen anything on who will make the new lens and if it will be an upgrade on the current one? I think it is at least as important as the new sensor, but may be wrong on this.