A new report from TechInsights reveals the top camera sensors used in smartphones for the first half of 2023, with Samsung and Sony dominating the list.
Samsung’s ISOCELL JN1 camera sensor tops the rankings based on shipments. As a budget 50MP sensor, it is commonly used as a secondary camera in many phones. Additional low-resolution 2MP sensors from OmniVision and GalaxyCore round out the top spots.
But when it comes to premium flagship phone cameras, Sony sensors stand out. The iPhone 14 Pro and 15 Pro Max rely heavily on Sony’s advanced image sensors for their main, ultra wide, telephoto and LiDAR cameras.
Sony sensors found in the latest iPhones include the 12MP IMX813 ultra wide, 48MP IMX803 main, 12MP IMX593 telephoto, and IMX591 LiDAR. This demonstrates the massive sales volumes of Apple’s high-end iPhones.
Sony image sensors found in current iPhone models include:
- IMX713 – Telephoto sensor in iPhone 13 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max
- IMX714 – Front-facing camera in iPhone 14 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max
- IMX590 – Time-of-flight sensor in iPhone 13 Pro Max and 14 Pro Max
- IMX633 – Ultra-wide camera in iPhone 14 Pro Max and 15 Pro Max
Samsung also supplies key sensors for premium phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra, including the 10MP IMX754 telephoto and front-facing S5K3LU.
Overall, Sony continues to dominate the smartphone image sensor industry with 56% market share in the first half of 2023. Apple’s business accounts for over 55% of Sony’s image sensor revenues, thanks to adoption of Sony’s advanced 48MP and 12MP sensors across the iPhone lineup.
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The 48MP IMX803 sensor used in the latest iPhones has driven Sony’s share in the 48MP and above segment past 48%.
In summary, while cheap 2MP sensors ship in high volumes, it is Sony and Samsung’s cutting-edge image sensors that define the smartphone photography experience on premium flagships today. Apple’s iPhones demonstrate the immense volumes and revenues generated by Sony’s sensor innovations.
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