Samsung is working on new image sensors for the iPhone and developing a 500 MP sensor for its Galaxy smartphones.

Samsung is reportedly working on new image sensors, and Apple may start using them in its iPhone 18 smartphones, according to PhoneArena.

For years, Apple has relied on Sony sensors for its devices, as the Japanese company dominated the market. Recently, Sony announced that it had sold 10 billion sensors over the past five years, most of which were supplied to the smartphone industry.

However, Sony's monopoly may soon come to an end, as one of its largest customers, Apple, is planning to switch to Samsung sensors. The South Korean manufacturer is said to be developing a 3-layer stacked image sensor specifically for the iPhone. This sensor features a unique design that separates the photodiodes (which convert light into electrical signals) from the processing layer where these signals are handled.

The advantage of this configuration is that it allows for faster photo captures compared to sensors using traditional technology, as well as better photo quality in low-light conditions.

The new 3-layer sensor from Samsung is expected to be used in the 48-megapixel wide-angle cameras of the iPhone 18 series.

However, Samsung plans to reserve its most powerful technology for its own devices. Insider @Jukanlosreve reports that the company is developing a 500-megapixel image sensor for its Galaxy smartphones.

In addition to the new image sensor, the iPhone 18 is also expected to feature TSMC chips using a 2nm process — the A20 and A20 Plus. The iPhone 18 is set to be released in September 2026.