Apple’s next big camera leap may come from an unexpected place. Fresh reports suggest that Samsung is preparing to supply advanced image sensors for the iPhone 18, which would be a potential change to Apple’s long-standing camera supply chain and would indicate significant improvements in photography and low-light performance on future iPhones. Here’s everything we know so far.

iPhone 18 said to get major camera upgrade, sensor may be supplied by Samsung

According to a report by The Elec, Samsung is preparing to manufacture these new image sensors at its existing semiconductor facility in Austin, Texas. The company is said to be growing rapidly and plans to install specialized production equipment soon. Job listings for technicians, engineers and managers associated with the project have already gone live, indicating that groundwork is underway for the new production line.

What makes this development particularly interesting is the technology that Samsung is expected to use. The sensor features a three-stack design, which is a more advanced version of the stacked sensor architecture. In simple terms, it involves layering multiple sensor components vertically, allowing higher pixel density without increasing the sensor size. The result can be better performance in low light, faster image readout, better dynamic range and lower power consumption. Notably, this kind of manufacturing process has not yet been widely used on a commercial scale, which if successful would be a huge step forward for smartphone cameras.

Earlier this month, Samsung reportedly informed the Austin City Council of its intention to invest approximately $19 billion in its local facility. The new image sensor production line is expected to be operational in early March, although mass production is likely to ramp up slowly. The sensors are believed to be exclusive to Apple, with reports claiming that Apple and Samsung finalized a supply deal in August.

If it goes as expected, the iPhone 18, which is widely expected to launch in the first half of 2027, could be the first iPhone with a Samsung-made image sensor. This would also be a big change for Apple, which has relied exclusively on Sony for iPhone camera sensors for years. Currently, Sony manufactures iPhone image sensors in Japan, with final delivery through TSMC. Moving a portion of this supply chain to the US would be a significant strategic shift for Apple.

The camera upgrade may not be the only major change planned for the iPhone 18 lineup. Reports also suggest that Apple may introduce its next-generation C2 modem, which is expected to offer better wireless performance than the existing models. Furthermore, the information claims that Apple is working on wider satellite connectivity support. Unlike current satellite features, which are limited to emergencies and basic messaging, future iPhones may support full satellite phone capabilities, potentially allowing calls and data access in areas without cellular coverage.

On the performance front, the iPhone 18 series is expected to debut Apple’s new A20 processor. With the iPhone 17 lineup already set to use the A19 and A19 Pro chips, the next logical step would be a new generation of silicon. The A20 chips are rumored to use the Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module, or WMCM process. This approach integrates RAM directly on the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and neural engine. By putting everything together, Apple was able to achieve better efficiency, faster speeds, and improved overall performance.

iPhone 18 series launch timeline (leaked)

There are also indications that Apple may change the way it launches its iPhones. While the company has traditionally unveiled all new models in September, several reports now suggest a sequential release strategy. Bloomberg has reported that Apple may launch iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and a new foldable iPhone in the autumn season as usual. The standard iPhone 18, a possible iPhone 18E, and a new iPhone Air 2 could arrive about six months later, in February or March 2027.