Apple rarely confirms which companies supply Samsung manufactures OLED displays that make their way into the iPhone. LG has also reportedly been enlisted as a supplier for the iPhone 14 Pro's OLED s. LG is also working on foldable displays for Apple's future foldable iPhone, as well as the microLED displays for the AR/VR headset.Earlier reports and iPhone teardowns have all but revealed the maker of the iPhone's camera system to be Sony, but Cook confirmed the rumors once and for all during his recent Japan visit. Cook met with Ken Yoshida, Sony's chief executive, at the company's camera facility in Kumamoto, Japan. "We’ve been partnering with Sony for over a decade to create the world’s leading camera sensors for iPhone," Cook said in a Dec. 12 tweet.
It Isn't Surprising That Sony Makes iPhone Cameras
Aside from the fact that Sony is a reputable camera manufacturer in its own right, its presence in the iPhone's production isn't surprising due to the numerous pieces of evidence uncovered over the years. Going as far back as 2011, there were traces of Sony's markings on the iPhone camera system. The iPhone 4S was the first model suspected to be produced by Sony, which matches the timeline provided by Cook in his tweet.
Chipworks, a company that performed in-depth tech teardowns and since been absorbed by TechInsights, used an infrared microscope to peer inside the iPhone 4S's camera sensor way back in 2011. Inside the camera sensor, text markings on the die — found several layers below the camera's surface — revealed the text 'SONY.' The findings, as reported by teardowns of every subsequent iPhone have revealed a camera system produced by Sony.
Apple typically holds its cards close to its chest, but due to the fact that Sony's involvement was already evident, Cook confirmed the two companies' 10-year partnership. The Apple CEO spent a week touring critical manufacturing facilities and product partners in foreign countries, from factories to software development offices. That Sony's state-of-the-art facility was highlighted on the trip suggests the company's camera systems will be a staple on the iPhone for years to come.
While Apple long relied on other manufacturers for certain components of its products, including its displays, camera sensors, and chips, that’s starting to be a thing of the past. The company has used its own chip for years to power the iPhone, and began phasing out Intel chips for its Mac computers and iPads starting in 2020. Now, all new Macs use Apple Silicon. Apple is reportedly set to start making its own displays, too, with the first of its in-house microLED expected to come to Apple Watch models and iPhone starting in 2024, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Source: Tim Cook/Twitter, iFixit, Bloomberg