Sony is deciding to post-process image sensors in Korea just to increase its supply of Samsung smartphones.
Undoubtedly, Sony is one of the leading brands in the image sensor market, holding up to 54% of the market, followed by Samsung, which has 29% of the market. Samsung uses its own camera sensors largely in Galaxy devices, but now it seems that this may change in the future. Basically, image sensors are semiconductors that act like the human eye in digital gadgets, and Japanese brand Sony is already leading the image sensor industry.
Recently, reports have revealed that Sony is planning to post-process image sensors in Korea and is also working on conveying image sensor wafers manufactured in Japan to Korea and switching them into individual chips or post-processing.
It is being confirmed that a Sony subordinate in charge of the image sensor business has discussed specific cooperation plans with semiconductor post-processing brands. Elbi Semicon, Doosan Tesna (Enzian), ELT, and ASE Korea are among the targets, and they are reviewing the feasibility of business, for instance, facility investment.
If the reports are to be believed, then Sony has superior standards for its image sensor suppliers. They need the supplier to use enough clean rooms (Class 10) for testing the wafers as well as perform a process known as recon to select the best chips.
It is revealed that Samsung MX wants strong competition among Sony Semiconductor Solutions and its own System LSI subsidiary. This will lead to a faster implementation of newer technologies and lower costs for Samsung. Sony currently has more than 50% of the market share in the global mobile camera sensor industry, whereas Samsung lags far behind at 10%.
