Apple is testing superior CMOS picture sensors (CIS) from Samsung that might debut within the iPhone 16 later this yr, The Elec studies.
Apple is at the moment conducting a remaining high quality evaluation on CMOS picture sensors offered by Samsung System LSI, the logic enterprise unit of Samsung, in response to the report. These sensors are slated to be used in the principle digital camera of the upcoming iPhone 16. Traditionally, Apple has completely sourced CIS for its iPhones from Sony, however current developments are mentioned to point a strategic pivot away from the Japanese provider resulting from considerations about reliability and the necessity to incorporate new applied sciences into its digital camera system.
The choice to have interaction Samsung is claimed to stem from points Apple confronted with Sony final yr. Apple requested that Samsung start the event of latest picture sensors in 2023 after Sony didn’t ship them in a sufficiently well timed method, which contributed to difficulties in setting a launch date for the iPhone 15. If Samsung passes the continued high quality assessments, it is going to be the primary time the corporate provides an iPhone CIS.
The brand new picture sensor developed by Samsung contains a extra superior three-wafer stack design. These three wafers every home distinct parts: the photodiode, transistors, and analog digital converter logics. In distinction, present and former iPhone picture sensors have a two-stack design that mixes the photodiode and transistors on a single wafer.
In a CIS, the photodiode converts mild into electrical indicators, whereas 4 transistors are chargeable for transferring, amplifying, studying, and erasing these indicators. The separation of those elements into three wafers permits for increased pixel density, lowered noise, and smaller pixel sizes.
The brand new expertise employs wafer-to-wafer hybrid bonding, which attaches these wafers instantly via a copper pad, eliminating the necessity for signal-transferring bumps. This allows the CIS to be smaller and will increase knowledge switch speeds.
The iPhone 16 lineup is extensively anticipated to be introduced within the fall with new digital camera options similar to a devoted “Capture” button, a 48-megapixel Extremely Vast digital camera, and extra.