If you think of the iPhone as “all Apple,” you’re not entirely wrong — but the truth is more complicated. Apple designs its own chips and tightly controls the overall experience, yet some of the most critical iPhone components actually come from Samsung. Now here’s the interesting part: Apple and Samsung may be fierce rivals in the smartphone market, but behind the scenes, they often rely on each other to make their products work.
Apple’s Design, Samsung’s Manufacturing Muscle
Apple loves to emphasize that its chips are “designed in California,” and that statement is true — the A-series processors are Apple’s creations. But when it comes to mass production at scale, Apple still needs companies like Samsung.
Samsung’s semiconductor foundries have historically played a role in producing Apple’s processors, even though Apple has shifted much of that work to TSMC in recent years. Still, Samsung continues to manufacture certain specialized components and remains a vital part of Apple’s global supply chain.
OLED Displays — Samsung’s Crown Jewel
One of the most important iPhone components supplied by Samsung is the OLED display. The vibrant, high-quality panels used in iPhone Pro models are primarily made by Samsung Display. Their expertise in OLED technology is unmatched, which is why Apple continues to rely on them even as it diversifies with LG Display and BOE. On the flip side, while these other companies contribute, Samsung still dominates because of its scale and superior panel quality.
Memory: NAND Flash and DRAM
Another area where Samsung plays a crucial role is memory. iPhones need NAND flash memory for storage and DRAM chips to handle multitasking and performance. Samsung is one of Apple’s trusted suppliers for these components, alongside companies like SK Hynix and Micron.
In my experience, Apple prefers having multiple suppliers for critical parts. This diversification means that if one company faces shortages, the iPhone assembly line doesn’t come to a halt. Samsung’s consistent supply makes it an essential partner in this delicate balancing act.
Image Sensors: A Growing Role for Samsung
Here’s something new and exciting — Samsung is increasingly being linked to Apple’s camera technology. While Sony has long been the primary supplier of iPhone camera sensors, reports suggest Apple is now collaborating with Samsung on advanced CMOS image sensors. These could be used in future iPhone models to improve low-light photography and enable new imaging features.
That said, this doesn’t mean Sony is out of the picture, but it does highlight Samsung’s expanding influence over Apple’s hardware ecosystem. On the flip side, it shows how rivals can collaborate in unexpected ways when innovation demands it.
Chips and Foundry Work in the U.S.
In 2025, Apple and Samsung made headlines when reports surfaced that Apple would use Samsung’s Austin, Texas plant for specialized chip production. These aren’t the main A-series processors, which remain Apple-designed and largely manufactured by TSMC, but companion chips that power features like AI processing and connectivity.
This partnership makes sense because it gives Apple a more resilient North American supply chain, reducing reliance on overseas production. It also shows that Samsung’s foundries remain strategically important to Apple’s long-term plans.
Why Apple Still Needs Samsung
So, why doesn’t Apple just build everything in-house? The answer lies in scale and specialization. Samsung has decades of experience in both semiconductor and display technology. Even if Apple wanted to replace Samsung entirely, doing so would be risky and extremely costly.
Instead, Apple has adopted a strategy of keeping Samsung as a strategic frenemy: a direct competitor in the smartphone market, yet an indispensable partner when it comes to producing world-class hardware.
The iPhone X Partnership
A clear example of this relationship goes back to 2017 with the launch of the iPhone X — Apple’s first OLED iPhone. At that time, only Samsung had the capability to supply OLED displays in the massive quantities Apple required. Without Samsung’s panels, the iPhone X might have been delayed or even redesigned.
That moment proved how crucial Samsung’s role is in Apple’s supply chain, even if both companies tend to downplay the partnership publicly.
So, which iPhone parts are made by Samsung? The short answer is OLED displays, NAND flash memory, DRAM chips, some image sensors, and specialized companion chips. Apple may design the brains of the iPhone, but Samsung helps build key parts of the body.
For Apple fans, it’s a reminder that even the sleekest devices are the product of global collaboration — and sometimes, from rivals working together. If you enjoyed this breakdown and want more insider insights into the tech world, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for fresh updates.
FAQs
1. Which iPhone parts are made by Samsung?
Samsung supplies OLED displays, NAND flash memory, DRAM chips, and is expected to provide advanced image sensors and specialized chips in future iPhones.
2. Do Samsung and Apple still work together on processors?
Apple designs its own chips, but Samsung has historically manufactured some and continues to handle companion components and foundry tasks.
3. Are all iPhone screens made by Samsung?
Not all. Apple also sources displays from LG and BOE, but Samsung remains the leading OLED supplier for high-end iPhone models.
4. Why does Apple rely on Samsung despite being a competitor?
Because Samsung has unmatched expertise in OLED and semiconductor manufacturing, and Apple prioritizes reliability over rivalry.
5. Could Apple ever completely cut Samsung out?
It’s unlikely. While Apple diversifies its suppliers, Samsung’s scale and innovation make it extremely difficult to replace entirely.
