Samsung Developing 3-Layer Stacked Camera Sensor for iPhone 18

Samsung is reportedly working on a new 3-layer stacked camera sensor for future iPhones, marking a significant shift in Apple’s camera sensor supplier lineup.

Sony has long held the exclusive contract to provide iPhone camera sensors, but Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggested last year that this would change with the iPhone 18. This claim is now supported by a new report, which provides more details on Samsung’s involvement.

The 3-layer stacked sensor, currently under development by Samsung, is expected to improve camera performance in future iPhone models. The sensor is said to use a PD-TR-Logic configuration, which is more advanced than Sony’s current Exmor RS sensors.

Stacked sensors allow for processing electronics to be mounted directly on the sensor, and a 3-layer design would increase signal processing speeds, improving camera responsiveness. Additionally, stacked sensors can reduce noise, resulting in clearer and higher-quality images.

Samsung’s entry into the iPhone camera sensor market is expected to begin in 2026 with the shipment of 48MP ultra-wide CMOS image sensors. This would break Sony’s long-standing monopoly on supplying image sensors for iPhones.

Samsung is also reportedly working on a 500MP sensor for its own smartphones, though this is seen as part of the company’s pursuit of high megapixel numbers, which may not necessarily result in better image quality.