Samsung to Expand Usage of Sony Image Sensors

Samsung Electronics is reportedly considering increasing its usage of Sony image sensors in its smartphones, according to Korean media outlet ETNews. Sony Semiconductor Solutions also has plans to relocate some of its image sensor back-end production lines from Japan to South Korea, aiming to expand and strengthen its market share, particularly through Samsung's supply chain. Sony has been in discussions with Korean back-end foundry partners, including LB Semicon, NGion, ALT, and ASE Korea, regarding packaging and testing processes.

In the future, Sony's image sensor wafers will be shipped from Japan to South Korea for packaging and chip cutting. Sony is also requiring Korean companies to provide Class 10 clean rooms to minimize dust contamination during the chip production process. Korean companies will employ various processes such as wafer slicing and reconstruction to ensure the selection and arrangement of high-quality chips.

Sources familiar with the matter indicate that Samsung's MX division is promoting internal competition and intends to integrate Sony products, specifically System LSI image sensors, into its own mobile phones. Samsung's mobile division aims to foster healthy competition between Sony Semiconductor Solutions and its own System LSI subsidiaries, with the goal of accelerating technology application and reducing costs.

Currently, Sony holds over 50% of the global image sensor market, maintaining a significant lead over Samsung, which ranks second with a 10% market share. Should Samsung expand its utilization of Sony image sensors, industry insiders estimate that it could contribute to a rapid increase in the capacity utilization rate of TSMC's Kumamoto fab. The Kumamoto fab is a collaboration between TSMC, Sony Semiconductor Solutions, and DENSO, focusing on the production of image sensors and automotive chips.