Kuo: 2026 iPhone to Use New Advanced Camera Sensor From Samsung

Apple's iPhone will adopt a new 1/2.6-inch 48MP Ultra Wide CMOS image sensor (CIS) made by Samsung as early as 2026, breaking Sony's years-long monopoly as Apple's CIS supplier, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

iphone 12 pro sensor shift
Writing in a brief report published on X (formerly Twitter), Kuo said Samsung has already established a dedicated team within its ranks to work on the camera components with a view to specifically supplying Apple.

For years now, Apple has exclusively sourced CIS for its iPhones from Sony. However, recent developments suggest a strategic shift away from the Japanese supplier due to concerns about reliability and Apple's need to integrate new technologies into its camera system.

If the 2026 production roadmap goes to plan, Apple could be using Samsung-made image sensors in the camera system that features on its iPhone 18 series.

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Top Rated Comments

MayaUser Avatar
10 months ago
[HEADING=2]Kuo, what about 2027 iphone?[/HEADING]
we know you need the clicks for your BS rumours
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nfl46 Avatar
10 months ago
Give it a few months then he will say it’s delayed until the 2027 iPhone.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Justin Cymbal Avatar
10 months ago
I definitely appreciate how much focus Apple puts into maintaining annual upgrades to the camera system on the pro model phones each year

I hope that Apple eventually includes the new camera features on both screen size pro model iPhones (like they did with the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max)

With the 15 Pro and the 15 Pro Max, users had to decide between whether they wanted the new camera features or not (if they didn’t want the bigger max size iPhone)

I much prefer the smaller pro model iPhone so if Apple were to go back to the way the iPhone 14 Pro model phones were (that didn’t differentiate camera features) that would be awesome
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
10 months ago

The iPhone is slowly becoming a idroid with the anti reflective display being sourced from Samsung, Google being the default search engine, and now the camera components being sourced from Samsung. What’s next!
This is nothing new, Sony makes Android phones as well.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cocky jeremy Avatar
10 months ago
I don't care who makes the sensors. Just give us the best possible hardware for cameras.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
timber Avatar
10 months ago
Sony has been at the top of the pack for who knows how many years.

I wonder if this isn't just disguised cost cutting.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)