After completely utilizing Sony for its iPhone digicam picture sensors, Apple has is alleged to have begun remaining high quality testing on fashions from Samsung for the iPhone 16 vary.
Rendered iPhone 16 Professional fashions
Apple has beforehand thought-about bringing iPhone digicam sensor designs in-house, however up to now has solely purchased CMOS picture sensors (CIS) from Sony. Now in response to The Elec, that’s altering as the corporate turns to Samsung following alleged points with Sony for the iPhone 15 vary.
Reportedly, there have been enough delays from Sony over supplying its picture sensors, that in late 2023, Apple requested Samsung to start creating a CIS. The delays have been sufficient that they gave Apple issues scheduling the launch of the iPhone 15.
Apple reportedly now additionally fears dealing with a scarcity of picture sensors for the iPhone 16 vary. That is additionally partly as a result of it’s introducing new know-how for the forthcoming iPhone fashions.
The place the present CIS programs used two wafers that noticed the photodiode and transistors sharing one, the brand new system may have three separate wafers. The sensible impact is that there needs to be decreased noise on pictures, and pixels may be smaller than earlier than.
Utilizing Samsung will handle the priority over supplying enough portions for the elevated iPhone 16 orders that Apple is alleged to be anticipating.
Samsung’s CIS is alleged to be presently going by Apple’s remaining high quality exams earlier than the anticipated approval.
Assuming Samsung’s CIS is accepted, it can imply Sony shedding its standing as unique provider for picture sensors on the iPhone. Individually, Sony additionally misplaced its unique standing as supplier of screens for the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, as a result of it reportedly refused to extend manufacturing capability.
Word that The Elec tends to be a fairly good supply of data relating to provide chain points. It has a poorer observe file in extrapolating Apple’s plans from the data it receives, however this explicit report seems to be extra the previous than the latter.
