Samsung to break Sony’s iPhone monopoly in 48MP camera sensors with iPhone 18 – analyst
The upcoming iPhone 16 Pro Max is rumored to feature Sony’s advanced 48MP Exmor IMX903 sensor. This new sensor boasts double-layer transistors and a larger size compared to its predecessor in the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
While Sony currently dominates the camera sensor market for Apple’s top-tier iPhones, that monopoly could be challenged in the near future. There’s speculation that Samsung might enter the fray as a camera supplier for Apple’s 2026 iPhone 18 models. This potential shift could introduce new competition and potentially lead to further camera advancements in future iPhones.
Similar to how Samsung has carved a symbiotic relationship with Apple on the display side of things, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo published a brief post on X, stating that the Korean manufacturer will extend its reach to the sensors category too. The company is expected to begin supplying 48MP cameras with a 1/2.6-inch sensor size, breaking Sony’s iron grip on the market. As smartphone component costs start slowly creeping upwards, companies like Apple must figure out how to bring this expenditure down considerably or risk a sales slump by pricing its products too high.
TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo via X:
Samsung is expected to begin shipping 1/2.6-inch 48MP ultra-wide CMOS image sensors (CIS) to Apple for iPhones as early as 2026, breaking Sony’s years-long monopoly on supplying CIS to Apple. To this end, Samsung has established a dedicated team to serve Apple.
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MacDailyNews Take: Looks like Sony as a couple more years of monopoly pricing power, but multiple suppliers will obviously introduce competition into 48MP camera sensors, driving down the cost of materials for Apple and, ultimately, prices for iPhone buyers.
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