- By Prateek Levi
- Fri, 26 Dec 2025 07:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
iPhone 18: We have already got the iPhone 17 series now, and fans, enthusiasts and common buyers alike are already looking forward to the next in line flagship smartphone from the Cupertino-based tech giant, which is, for now, being dubbed as the iPhone 18 series. Now as we move forward to the next year, leaks and rumours have already started to come out, with reports pointing to something interesting this year when it comes to cameras.
Reports suggest that Apple will be manufacturing camera sensors in the company's Austin plant in Texas. Although Apple will source a fair share of components from Samsung, what's new is that the company will be manufacturing these components on home ground this time, that is, in the US. Although this is not a new manufacturing plant, manufacturing its own camera sensors will be a first for the tech giant. Previously sensors were made by Sony in Japan exclusively.
What Do The Reports Say?
As per Elec, it is anticipated that Samsung will soon install production equipment in Apple's Austin plant to manufacture CMOS image sensors (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor), which is also known as CIS. Apart from that, the South Korean tech giant has also started placing job listings with the purpose of fabrication of said items.
Apple is expanding its camera component suppliers for the iPhone 18 series by bringing Samsung alongside Sony. Previously, Sony made these components exclusively at its Japan plant, which were then assembled by Foxconn, Luxshare, and others. This year, some production is shifting to Samsung and will be manufactured entirely in the US.
It’s not yet confirmed whether these Samsung-made components will be used only for the Pro and rumoured Fold models or across the full iPhone 18 lineup, including the vanilla iPhone 18, expected in spring 2027 alongside the possible iPhone 18e. According to 9to5Google, the Pro models might exclusively get the Samsung-made CIS due to their premium pricing.
Samsung is reportedly producing wafer-to-wafer hybrid bonded CIS, stacking three wafers together. This design is said to reduce image noise while keeping pixel size small. Production at Samsung’s Austin facility could start as early as March 2026, according to The Elec.
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This marks a significant shift, as most major iPhone components have historically been made outside the US. Exceptions include display cover glass from Corning’s Kentucky plant, VCSELs from Sherman, Texas, certain integrated and analogue chips from Texas Instruments and GlobalFoundries, and rare-earth magnets for speakers and haptics.