Samsung Prepares Austin Fab to Manufacture iPhone Image Sensors [Report]

Samsung is moving forward with plans to manufacture image sensors for the iPhone on U.S. soil, preparing to install production equipment at its fabrication plant in Austin, Texas.



The South Korean tech giant recently listed job openings for mechanical and electrical project managers to oversee "hookup" operations at the fab, according to a report from The Elec. This phase involves connecting pipelines for utilities such as gas and water, signaling that foundation work for the facility's cleanroom is wrapping up and equipment installation is imminent. Samsung is also recruiting technicians to manage cleaning equipment used to prepare silicon wafers for production.


This activity follows reports from August that Apple had tapped Samsung to produce advanced image sensors in the United States, a move that diversifies Apple's supply chain beyond Sony. Earlier this month, Samsung notified the Austin city council of a plan to invest $19 billion at the facility for maintenance and the purchase of advanced equipment.

The new line will reportedly manufacture CMOS image sensors (CIS) using wafer-to-wafer hybrid bonding. This technology stacks three separate wafers—devoted to the photodiode, transistor, and analog-to-digital converter—to enable smaller pixel sizes and lower noise levels.

Operations at the new line are expected to begin as early as March.

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