Future iPhones may pack brand-new camera sensors developed by Sony and TSMC

The best camera phones is a pretty dynamic list. New flagships materialize (almost) by the month and the industry offers 200 MP sensors, large apertures and crazy wide dynamic range.

The iPhone packs neither the largest sensors nor the funkiest camera features, but its performance is respectable enough to grant it a seat at the table in the company of Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi and the rest of the gang.

Soon, there could be an enticing camera upgrade for future iPhones. Namely, they could get a Sony imaging sensor that's co-developed with TSMC.

Trillions and billions

Per the latest information, the mass production of the Sony–TSMC sensors could start in Japan no earlier than 2029. So, if you're thinking of skipping the iPhone 18 Pro, be aware that waiting for the new sensors could be long.

The two giants are expected to invest a total of over $6 billion (or more than 1 trillion yen) and the joint venture could be 60% owned by Sony and 40% by TSMC.

Apple users should take advantage of it

The report explicitly states that the new camera sensors, which are expected to be premium, would find their way into the iPhone.

Sony controls more than half of the global CMOS image sensor market, but companies such as Samsung and OmniVision are trying to catch up. By working with TSMC, Sony hopes to strengthen its lead while sharing the huge cost of building and running new semiconductor facilities.

The partnership also gives TSMC a bigger production base outside Taiwan and helps reduce its exposure to geopolitical risks. These have been especially popular in the last few years, as you already know.

What do we know?

Since we're dealing with a project that's expected to kick off in about three years—not that much. But per current insider info, Sony and TSMC are interested in improving the sensor performance and integrating AI systems in the mix.

These would recognize objects with greater precision, which is a double-edged sword. If this means artificially altering the image, I'm not sure how dedicated mobile photographers would react. There's already too much AI in certain photographic scenarios.

If, however, the result is an image of greater dynamic range and finer details, this would be a great hit.

Where is Samsung?

Recently, we told you about Samsung's new 200MP ISOCELL HPC camera sensor with a new DeepPix technology that can boost light handling by 60%, potentially improving HDR, colors and detail. It also supports HDR across several in-sensor zoom levels, which could be especially useful for phones that rely more heavily on digital crops between the main and telephoto cameras.

However, there's no guarantee this sensor will actually end up in Samsung’s next flagship. Current rumors point to another Samsung sensor with LOFIC technology, while the new HPC is already in mass production and is expected to appear in upcoming Chinese flagship phones.

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