iPhone 17 successor will boast a Samsung sourced 48 MP ultra-wide sensor, reports analyst with positive track record

According to a recent tweet from seasoned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it appears that the successor to the iPhone 17, set for launch in 2026, will ditch Sony in favor of a Samsung-made image sensor. 

According to the tweet, Samsung has already set up a dedicated team to serve Apple's requirements. The image sensor in question will reportedly be a 1/2.6-inch 48 MP ultra-wide unit. If true, this would be a notable upgrade over the current 12 MP ultra-wide found in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro (currently $1,197 on Amazon).

Apple's partnership with Sony as its only CIS supplier goes all the way back to the iPhone 4S, which was the company's first smartphone to feature a Sony camera sensor and was widely applauded for its image quality improvements over its predecessor, the iPhone 3GS.

The exact reasons behind this rumored shift remain unclear at this moment, but as pointed out by MacRumors, concerns regarding quality and reliability most likely have a role to play in this decision. The iPhone 18 is still over 2 years away at this point, so Apple's plans are certainly subject to change.