Apple is reportedly working on its own custom image sensor for future iPhone models, marking a major shift in the company’s long-term camera strategy.
Apple is reportedly working on its own custom image sensor for future iPhone models.
According to a Weibo leaker known as Fixed Focus Digital, Apple has begun developing its first in-house image sensor, a move that would see it reduce its reliance on longtime supplier Sony.
The chip is said to be in the early stages of development and could take several years before it appears in commercial devices.
If successful, the sensor would join Apple’s growing portfolio of custom silicon, which already includes the A-series and M-series chips, as well as the recently introduced Apple-designed modem currently in testing.
The new sensor is reportedly being designed with advanced low-light performance and AI integration in mind.
Apple is said to be focusing on greater control over hardware-software optimisation, which could lead to better image processing, improved HDR performance, and more efficient power management.
This would allow the company to compete more directly with the capabilities offered by Google’s Pixel line and Samsung’s flagship devices, both of which are known for their camera AI.
While Sony currently supplies Apple with high-end image sensors for its iPhones, Apple has been gradually moving toward vertical integration across its hardware stack.
Earlier this year, it was revealed the company was also developing custom batteries and has begun manufacturing its own displays for select devices.
No launch timeline has been confirmed, and Apple has not publicly commented on the development.
However, the report aligns with the company’s broader ambition to reduce dependency on external suppliers and enhance control over key components.
If the custom image sensor does eventually ship, it could represent a significant leap in Apple’s camera hardware and further differentiate future iPhones in an increasingly competitive smartphone market.
Apple ‘developing custom image sensor for iPhone’
