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Report: Apple to Switch to Advanced US-Made iPhone Camera Sensors

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Apple will partner with Samsung to produce next-generation image sensor chips for upcoming iPhone models at a facility in Texas, marking a major departure from its exclusive reliance on Sony, according to the Financial Times.

iphone_12_pro_sensor_shift.jpg

As part of its announcements surrounding its $600 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing yesterday, Apple said:

Apple is also working with Samsung at its fab in Austin, Texas, to launch an innovative new technology for making chips, which has never been used before anywhere in the world. By bringing this technology to the U.S. first, this facility will supply chips that optimize power and performance of Apple products, including iPhone devices shipped all over the world.
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According to the Financial Times, the chips in question are three-layer stacked image sensors, which enable higher pixel density and improved low-light performance by vertically stacking multiple sensor layers. Stacked sensor architecture also allows for faster readout speeds, reduced power consumption, and higher dynamic range.

This manufacturing process has not previously been deployed at a commercial scale. Sources familiar with the matter said that the sensors are to be supplied by Samsung's System LSI division and mass-produced by its foundry division.

The image sensors to be produced in Texas are expected to appear in next year's iPhone 18 lineup. Apple typically begins final component validation and volume manufacturing well in advance of launch, suggesting that the Austin facility is already ramping up preparations for initial production tests.

This will be the first time Apple will move away from Sony for iPhone image sensors and make the component in the United States. Today, Sony is the sole supplier of iPhone image sensors; they are produced in Japan and delivered via TSMC.

Article Link: Report: Apple to Switch to Advanced US-Made iPhone Camera Sensors
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/07/apple-to-switch-to-us-made-iphone-sensors/
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With money 600$bn why not making own camera sensor also make semiconductor foundry for himself
 
We already know what happens with US manufacturing. Fender taught us. The price triples.

A guitar is ultimately some wood, steel, wire/magnets and a little plastic. For something as complex as an iPhone with the precision tolerance Apple requires, the price could quadruple.
 

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Blackstick said:
We already know what happens with US manufacturing. Fender taught us. The price triples.

A guitar is ultimately some wood, steel, wire/magnets and a little plastic. For something as complex as an iPhone with the precision tolerance Apple requires, the price could quadruple.
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I don't know if comparing American made guitars to American made processors is a good analogy. Those guitars have a lot human labor making them. Processors, or in this case, image sensors, is almost an entirely automated process. Sure, there will be people possibly making more money than their Sony counterparts in Japan, but it isn't like Japan is some low wage country.

Price increase? Maybe...but certainly not 300% like those Fender guitars.
 
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Samsung and Apple should join forces and do a hybrid iOS/Android phone that can switch OS's on the fly...
Like back in the day with the Windows emulators for the Mac.
I always thought it was crazy that you can have a fully operational Windows in your Mac but PC's could never run Mac OS...
 
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Chet-NYC said:
I don't know if comparing American made guitars to American made processors is a good analogy. Those guitars have a lot human labor making them. Processors, or in this case, image sensors, is almost an entirely automated process. Sure, there will be people possibly making more money than their Sony counterparts in Japan, but it isn't like Japan is some low wage country.

Price increase? Maybe...but certainly not 300% like those Fender guitars.
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I guess we will wait and see. Regardless of how much they increase in price over the next few years they are going to increase it looks like, and not by a small amount either.

 
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Loving all of the sky is falling, the sky is falling. Believing that Apple, one of the most successful consumer tech companies in the world, has no idea what its doing, and is just winging it.

While conveniently forgetting Apple flops were the domain of the previous leader.
 
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And so many people hate on non Apple products. You realize most of these companies are in cahoots and heavily reply upon each other! lol.
 
ppdix said:
Sony just announced a 3-layer stacked sensor for it's high end cameras.
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I'd take it, but let's be realistic. That'd likely go into a A1 III first and that won't arrive for a couple of years.
And I'm pretty sure a sensor like that won't be in any type of phone for another decade or two.

Time will tell how this turns out. But I know I'll take a Sony sensor over Samsung any day. Would be much more interesting if they'd team up with Canon.
 
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