Apple has confirmed a new partnership with Samsung to produce next-generation image sensors at Samsung’s upcoming chip facility in Taylor, Texas. Contrary to early assumptions, this is not a deal to manufacture 3nm A-series or M-series chips for iPhones. Instead, the Apple Samsung chip deal focuses on advanced camera components that will power the imaging system in future iPhones, including the iPhone 18 lineup.
This partnership is part of Apple’s broader push to localize more of its component supply chain within the United States. Samsung’s investment in its Texas-based fabs aligns with Apple’s $100 billion commitment to U.S. manufacturing. Under this arrangement, Samsung will fabricate what is expected to be high-performance stacked CMOS image sensors using advanced packaging techniques. These sensors will play a critical role in improving photo and video capture quality across Apple’s upcoming devices. From the tech giant’s announcement:
Apple is also working with Samsung at its fab in Austin, Texas, to launch an innovative new technology for making chips, which has never been used before anywhere in the world. By bringing this technology to the U.S. first, this facility will supply chips that optimize power and performance of Apple products, including iPhone devices shipped all over the world.
The new chips are likely to use Samsung’s three-layer sensor technology, which separates photodiodes and transistors to capture more light while reducing noise. This technology has already been adopted in high-end Android phones and now appears ready for integration into Apple’s camera stack. By working with Samsung in the U.S., Apple not only reduces supply chain risk but also positions itself to comply with growing political pressure to onshore advanced chip manufacturing.
Samsung’s role in this process is limited to camera sensor production and does not involve making the core Apple silicon processors used in iPhones, iPads, or Macs. Those chips continue to be designed by Apple and fabricated by TSMC, mostly at its facilities in Taiwan and soon in Arizona. However, this new arrangement gives Samsung a renewed presence in Apple’s supply chain after years of being largely sidelined in chip manufacturing.
With camera performance being a major selling point for smartphones, especially in flagship models, this Apple Samsung chip deal represents a strategic investment in imaging technology. It also reflects Apple’s continued effort to diversify manufacturing partners without compromising quality or performance standards.
