We’re yet to see the release of the iPhone 16 series, but the renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo emerges with details about the iPhone 18 series. According to one of the biggest names in Apple rumors, Apple is gearing up to propose a major change to the camera sensors for iPhones. Currently, Sony has the monopoly on supplying Apple with camera sensors, but that is set to change in two years.
iPhone 18 (2026) will feature an Ultrawide camera made by Samsung
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will buy sensors from Samsung for the iPhone 18 family. These devices are expected to launch in the Fall of 2026. The analyst also states that these modules will be 48 MP 1/1.26″ units used for the ultrawide cameras. He further reports that Samsung has established a dedicated team to serve Apple’s needs.
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It’s unclear, however, what difference, if any, this switch will make to the camera quality. We expect the iPhone 18 to be an upgrade, so it will be hard to determine if the upgrade will come because of the camera change. In any case, Apple is well-known for prioritizing the quality. So it will certainly ensure Samsung’s camera will deliver, at least, the same quality coming out of Sony sensors. Hence, there is no real need to worry. We believe Apple won’t ditch Sony cameras, but losing the ultrawide sensor in some units will certainly impact Sony’s numbers.
Related news suggests the iPhone 18 series will have a 48 MP ultrawide camera with a 1/2.6″ Samsung-made sensor. There has been no sensor with similar specs on Samsung’s cards until now. So, whenever Samsung decides to launch a camera with such specifications, then it will definitively be the sensor destined for iPhone 18 models.
There are two iPhone generations ahead of the iPhone 18, so there is a long road ahead until 2026. That said, everything can change until the release and we certainly expect more details to emerge until then.
