iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus To Feature 48MP Cameras With Stacked CIS Design, But Low Yields Has Forced A Tough Choice On One Apple Supplier

wccftech.com:

One major upgrade arriving to the standard iPhone 15 models is the jump from a 12MP sensor to a 48MP one, and according to one update from a popular analyst, Apple is switching to a stacked CIS design for this sensor. While we will get into the details of this technology, one drawback of this design are the low yields, and the company’s supplier is said to be making a tough decision to bring up those yields.

CIS, or CMOS Image Sensors, are less costly to manufacture, and the stacked design helps to reduce noise levels in low-light environments, resulting in a higher image quality. Previously, we reported that both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will sport a three-stacked camera design that has the capability to capture more light. Even at that stage, it was stated that this component was experiencing low yields, which may result in the standard models getting delayed, or at the very least, customers would have to wait a long time to get their handset delivered.

Kuo believes that the low yield problems can be resolved through Sony by increasing the production of the CIS sensors by up to 120 percent. Unfortunately, while increasing the supply for Apple, the Japanese supplier will run into problems fulfilling orders for Android smartphones, leaving it in a tough spot. However, it is likely that Sony will make a decision based on how it affects its business monetarily.

Given that Apple ships millions of iPhones in a calendar year, Sony benefits greatly from this partnership, so it can afford to delay its CIS shipments for Android smartphones if it means cementing its business relationship with Apple. In the Medium blog post, Kuo also notes that the current inventory in the CIS supply chain has improved to a normal level,