Aug 6 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) said on Wednesday that

Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF ) will supply chips from its

production plant in Austin, Texas, for Apple ( AAPL ) products including

iPhones.

"This facility will supply chips that optimize power and

performance of Apple ( AAPL ) products, including iPhone devices," Apple ( AAPL )

said in a statement.

A Samsung spokesperson declined comment.

The statement was made as part of Apple's ( AAPL ) announcement it

would spend an additional $100 billion in U.S. investments,

bringing its total investment commitment to the country to $600

billion over the next four years.

"What's significant is that Samsung is taking over some

of the image sensor volumes that Apple ( AAPL ) previously sourced from

Sony ( SONY )," said Ryu Young-ho, a senior analyst at NH

Investment & Securities.

"Since Sony ( SONY ) only makes image sensors in Japan, Apple ( AAPL )

appears to be diversifying its suppliers and localising

production in the United States."

Ryu said that while Sony ( SONY ) still dominates the high-end

image sensor market, Apple's ( AAPL ) move reduces its reliance on a

single vendor and supports its push for more U.S.-based

sourcing.

Tesla recently signed a $16.5 billion deal to

source chips from Samsung, with Tesla CEO Elon Musk saying in

late July that Samsung's new chip factory in Texas would make

Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip.

Samsung's chip contract manufacturing business is expected

to reduce losses by securing new orders in 2026 to make image

sensor chips for iPhone 18s and chips for Tesla, Pak Yuak,

analyst at Kiwoom Securities, wrote in a note late last month.