According to Korean media reports, Samsung Electronics' return to the Apple supply chain is one step further. According to industry news, the initial order volume of CIS Image Sensor produced by Apple for Samsung has increased from about 1,000 wafers per month to 4,000 wafers.
CIS is the "photosensitive core" of a smart phone camera module, which can convert the optical wire into an electronic signal and output images. Each iPhone is equipped with a front and three rear CIS. Industry sources say that Samsung will be responsible for one of the rear lenses. In addition to being applicable to new models, the product also covers old iPhones that are still on sale. The market estimates that the potential demand can reach about 200 million yuan. Based on the 80% yield of 12-inch crystal circle, Samsung's current order volume is only about two% of the maximum demand.
However, the expected expected production of comprehensive production is delayed. Samsung originally planned to start production in March 2026, and the latest evaluation may be pushed until the end of 2026 or early 2027. Since this is Samsung's new entry into the Apple CIS supply chain after ten years, the market generally understands that Samsung adopts a more cautious strategy to meet the iPhone's strict specifications, and it is expected that it will not bring substantial investment to the acquisition as soon as the end of next year.
This delay also means that the "iPhone 18 effect" will not appear immediately. It is understood that Apple plans to launch high-level models of iPhone 18 Air, Pro and Pro Max in the second half of 2026, and the basic and entry-level models will be launched in early 2027. If Samsung could ship according to the original schedule, its CIS could have entered the first batch of iPhone 18, but as the schedule is delayed, the actual application may be in the later stage of development, and even to iPhone 19.
Samsung is currently focusing on developing 50 million painting CIS to meet Apple needs. The market originally expected that Samsung might be ahead of Sony by the first-time production of 200 million painting technology, but considering that Apple has always put stability before new technologies, 50 million painting materials have become the starting point, and it will not be difficult to push them to 200 million painting materials in the future.
Although Samsung is still considered to be behind Sony in low-light shooting performance, it has advantages in pixel technology. As early as 2021, Samsung was the first to achieve 20 million picture resolution through the ISOCELL brand and applied it to its own Galaxy phones. The market is optimistic. Samsung is not only expected to compete for the exclusive supplier role of iPhone high-quality CIS in the future, but may also play the second supplier in the 50 million graphics product line traditionally directed by Sony.
삼성전자, 애플 CIS 초도 물량 ‘월 1000→4000장’ 확대