Apple Camera

Apple is reportedly planning a major shift in its iPhone camera technology, potentially ending its long-standing partnership with Sony in favor of Samsung. Leaks suggest Samsung is developing a cutting-edge “3-layer stacked” image sensor specifically for Apple, promising superior performance compared to the Sony Exmor RS sensors that have powered iPhones for over a decade.

The iOS 18.2 update has sparked frustration among iPhone users worldwide, with widespread complaints about severe malfunctions in the camera and flashlight functions. Users across various forums, including Reddit and X, have detailed their struggles, pointing to the update as the root cause of the issues.

The iPhone 17 series, set to launch this year, is anticipated to bring significant updates to Apple’s iconic smartphone lineup. Reports from industry sources suggest that the iPhone 17 Pro might adopt a design inspired by the rear camera layouts seen in Google Pixel phones.

The latest speculation surrounding Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro points to a potential breakthrough in mobile photography: a variable aperture camera. According to recent discussions on The CultCast podcast, this new feature could significantly enhance image quality and low-light performance, making the iPhone 18 Pro a powerful tool for photography enthusiasts.

Recent rumors indicate that Apple might be introducing a significant design change for the iPhone 17 Pro, marking the first major shift since 2019’s iPhone 11. Speculations suggest that Apple could move away from its distinctive square-shaped camera module in favor of a horizontally-oriented design, which has drawn comparisons to the Google Pixel 9.

Samsung is reportedly working on an advanced three-layer stacked camera sensor for Apple’s future iPhones, possibly debuting with the iPhone 18 series. This development signals a potential shift from Apple’s traditional partnership with Sony for CMOS image sensors.

A recent leak suggests that Apple might transition from Sony image sensors to Samsung’s advanced three-layer stacked image sensor for its 2026 iPhone lineup. If true, this shift could enhance processing speed, color accuracy, and dynamic range while also paving the way for a potential 500-megapixel camera.

Apple is reportedly exploring a significant shift in its supply chain by considering Samsung’s advanced camera sensor technology for future iPhone models. For over a decade, Sony has been the exclusive supplier of iPhone camera sensors, but this longstanding relationship might change with the development of Samsung’s new “3-layer stacked” image sensor, as suggested by a recent leak shared by Jukanlosreve on the platform X (formerly Twitter).

Apple is reportedly developing new hardware advancements for its future smartphones, a shift from its recent emphasis on software improvements. While the company has been focusing on AI-driven features, as seen in iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence, it appears that significant hardware changes are also in progress.

Since the release of iOS 18.2, iPhone users have reported a persistent camera bug that causes the Camera app to open to a black screen. The issue, which has been widely discussed on platforms like Reddit, affects not only Apple’s default Camera app but also third-party applications like Snapchat.