Samsung again rumored to be battling Sony for future iPhone camera business

It's been said before that the iPhone 16 Pro ultra-wide camera will get an update to 48 megapixels, but a new rumor claims that Samsung — not Sony — will supply those image sensors two models later, in the iPhone 18 Pro.

It's been said before, and it's been repeated by others — 48 megapixel sensors are coming to the ultra-wide camera in the iPhone 16 Pro line. A previous rumor claimed that Apple was looking at Samsung as a potential supplier for this camera.

Uncharacteristically, that rumor was flat-out denied by Samsung.

But, Samsung may have just denied it because the timing was wrong. In a story published directly to X, Kuo claims that Samsung is getting in on the iPhone camera business in two years, for the iPhone 18 Pro line.

The post says that Samsung has spun off a dedicated team to serve Apple's needs. This is probably structured similarly to the company's screen business unit that provides OLED displays for the iPhone.

If true, this would mean Apple will include two 48-megapixel cameras on the rear. The telephoto camera would therefore become the last remaining camera using a 12-megapixel sensor.

Assuming Samsung's CIS is approved, it will mean Sony losing its status as exclusive supplier for image sensors on the iPhone. Separately, Sony also reportedly lost its exclusive status as provider of screens for the Apple Vision Pro, because it reportedly refused to increase production capacity.

Also rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro is an upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro Max Tetraprism lens, for 5x zoom.