Samsung Might Be the Reason Behind iPhone 18 Delay

INTERNATIONAL BUREAU —Apple left the standard iPhone 18 out of its September launch, as reports had suggested for months. Earlier speculation pointed to rising memory prices and supply bottlenecks. Japanese semiconductor publication Semiconportal now points to another possible reason: Apple may be giving Samsung more time to produce enough camera sensors for the phone.

Samsung’s Camera Sensor Timeline Samsung reportedly began prototyping high-performance image sensors for future iPhones in spring 2026 at its facility in Austin, Texas. The reported schedule put mass production in the fall. Semiconportal suggests that waiting until early 2027 would give Samsung time to build up supply.

Apple has yet to confirm the standard iPhone 18’s launch date or explain why it left the phone out of its September event. Why Apple Is Adding a Second Supplier Sony has supplied most of Apple’s iPhone image sensors for about a decade. Semiconportal expects that arrangement to change as Samsung joins the supply chain, with Sony expected to remain a supplier.

It remains unclear how Apple will split orders between the two companies. Apple confirmed in August 2025 that it was working with Samsung on chip manufacturing at the Austin plant under its American Manufacturing Program. Apple announced the program alongside an additional $100 billion commitment to US investment.

Its announcement covered chips for Apple products, including iPhones, and did not identify the standard iPhone 18 as a recipient. Using two suppliers could give Apple more leverage on component prices. Gizmochina noted that rising memory and chip production costs make a lower iPhone 18 retail price unlikely.

Apple Still Set a September Revenue Record Apple reported record September-quarter revenue of $114.5 billion, up 12% from a year earlier. iPhone revenue also set a record for the September quarter. The post Samsung Might Be the Reason Behind iPhone 18 Delay appeared first on ProPakistani .