Apple never specifies whose image sensors it uses in its smartphones, but for many years, it has exclusively used Sony sensors. However, Samsung may soon replace them.
Tianfeng International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Samsung is expected to start supplying 48-megapixel image sensors for Apple iPhones as early as 2026, breaking Sony's long-standing monopoly.
It is known that this will be a 1/2.6-inch optical format sensor. So, it’s not the largest, but it’s not the main camera either.
Considering 2026, such sensors should be used in the iPhone 18 lineup. It is likely that initially only the base models will have these sensors, while the Pro models will have larger sensors.
Importantly, the analyst adds that Samsung has created a special team to serve Apple in this matter, indicating the company's serious intentions.
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