Tim Cook reveals that iPhones use Sony camera sensors, confirming decades-long partnership

Apple CEO Tim Cook admitted in a recent tweet that the Cupertino company has been using Sony’s image sensors in iPhones for over a decade. This is a rare confirmation from Apple regarding specific components included in their devices. Specifications for the company’s iPhone models usually only include camera resolution, aperture, and other general information. There have been a number of rumors over the years suggesting that Sony is supplying camera sensors for the iPhone. Even the iPhone 15 is expected to include a state-of-the-art image sensor from Sony.

Cook shared a tweet on Tuesday revealing that sony has been supplying camera sensors for Iphone For over a decade. It also includes an image of Cook on a tour of the Kumamoto facility with Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida. This admission seems to have laid the rest for so much rumor speculated that the iPhone used Sony’s camera sensor.

We’ve worked with Sony for over a decade to create the world’s leading camera sensors for the iPhone. Thanks to Ken and everyone on the team for showing me around the most cutting edge facility in Kumamoto today. pic.twitter.com/462SEkUbhi

– Tim Cook (@tim_cook) December 13, 2022

According to a recent report report, the iPhone 15 series can boast the most state-of-the-art Sony image sensor. It is said to have the ability to clearly capture a person’s face even when backlit. Sony is said to have doubled the saturation signal level in each pixel compared to conventional sensors.

This rumored Sony camera sensor is said to be able to enhance lighting and reduce overexposure or underexposure. However, Sony has yet to put these sensors into production. They will be manufactured at the company’s Nagasaki plant. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 15 series in the second half of 2023.

Sony is said to have controlled around 44% of the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor market in 2021, while Samsung is second with 18.5%. The company is said to have planned to spend around JPY900 billion (approximately Rs 54,000) throughout 2023 in hopes of gaining control of around 60% of the CMOS image sensor market by 2025.