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.

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

iOS 18 Coming Later This Month With These 8 New Features

Tuesday September 3, 2024 12:07 pm PDT by
iOS 18 has been in beta testing for nearly three months, and the software update will finally be released for all compatible iPhones soon. Apple should reveal iOS 18's exact release date during its September 9 event, with the most likely possibility being Monday, September 16. Below, we have highlighted eight key new features included in iOS 18. Note that Apple Intelligence is not coming...
iPhone 16 Side New Action Button Emphasis Bump

iPhone 16 Apple Silicone Cases Have No Cutout for New Capture Button

Wednesday September 4, 2024 3:19 am PDT by
Apple is introducing a new camera-based "Capture" button on at least some iPhone 16 models this year, and a new rumor claims that Apple's own silicone cases will have a design that is specially made so as not to impede the use of the capacitive button's multiple functions. Several rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16 models are going to have an all-new button that's designed to make it...
iOS 18 CarPlay Feature

iOS 18 Adds These 6 New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday September 3, 2024 12:59 pm PDT by
Apple did not mention CarPlay when it unveiled iOS 18 in June, but the update includes a handful of new features for the in-car iPhone system. iOS 18 includes some changes to the Messages app, Settings app, and Siri on CarPlay. The update should be widely released later in September. Below, we recap CarPlay's key new features on iOS 18. 1. Contact Photos in Messages App iOS 18 adds...
sonny iphone 16 pro colors

New iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Colors Revealed Ahead of Apple Event

Friday September 6, 2024 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is "shaking up its color palette" for its iPhone 16 lineup this year, according to well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. Early iPhone 16 Pro dummy models via Sonny Dickson According to Gurman, the iPhone 16 Pro models will come in a Gold Titanium to replace Blue Titanium, while the Black, White, and Natural Titanium options that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro will remain...
iPhone 16 Pro Mock Article

iPhone 16 Launch Month Is Here: Everything We Know

Sunday September 1, 2024 4:30 am PDT by
Apple has announced that on Monday, September 9 it will hold its annual fall event, which means we are just days away from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. ...
its glowtime event youtube

Report Details Last-Minute Apple Event Rumors About New iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods

Friday September 6, 2024 4:40 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared his final expectations for Apple's "It's Glowtime" event, providing some new tidbits and clarifications about the new devices set to be announced on Monday. iPhone 16 Pro Along with larger 6.3- and 6.9-inch display sizes, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will have bezels that are "now about a third slimmer" for a "sleeker overall look." The...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

When to Expect iOS 18 on Your iPhone as Beta Testing Wraps Up

Wednesday September 4, 2024 10:50 am PDT by
iOS 18 has been in beta testing for nearly three months, and the software update should finally be widely released later this month. Below, we outline when to expect iOS 18 to be available on all compatible iPhones. iOS 18: Beta Testing Wraps Up In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said iOS 18 beta 8 will likely be the final developer beta version for the...

Top Rated Comments

MayaUser Avatar
6 weeks 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
6 weeks 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
6 weeks 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
6 weeks 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
6 weeks 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
6 weeks 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)