Sony’s image sensors are pretty well-known. In fact their image sensors have found their way into a variety of smartphones such as the iPhone, and given how iPhones are typically known for their good imaging quality (good, but not necessarily the best), safe to say it speaks volumes of Sony’s sensor quality.
However as you might have heard last month, Sony confirmed that they would be bolstering their sensor business by acquiring Toshiba’s image sensor business, and recently Sony has confirmed the price that they would be paying which has been set at $155 million. This will include the transfer of Toshiba’s fabrication plant, equipment, and employees. The deal between Sony and Toshiba is expected to conclude come 31st March 2016 barring no regulatory issues.
Toshiba’s facilities will ultimately end up operating under Sony’s new wholly owned subsidiary, the Sony Semiconductor Corporation. This division will focus primarily on the production of image sensors, so safe to say that Sony will indeed be stepping up their sensor business. We’re not sure what will be the result of this but we can’t wait to see what they will be able to come up with, what with the new facilities, technology, and equipment at their disposal.