Samsung could break Sony’s monopoly hold on the camera sensor business by supplying Apple with 48MP units for the iPhone 18 lineup
Sony has exclusively provided Apple with various cameras for its handsets, and with the iPhone 16 lineup, the situation is expected to remain unchanged. In fact, the company’s top-end model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max, will reportedly be treated to Sony’s new 48MP Exmor IMX903 with double-layer transistors and a slightly bigger sensor size compared to the IMX803 found inside the iPhone 15 Pro Max. However, the Japanese firm could have its monopoly compromised in 2026, as an analyst believes that Samsung will enter Apple’s optics supply chain and start delivering cameras for the iPhone 18 in 2026.Analyst does not confirm if Samsung will provide 48MP cameras to Apple’s entire iPhone 18 family or to some models
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.
