Apple's iPhone may soon get a 200MP camera: Here's what we know
Apple's iPhone has long been synonymous with cutting-edge mobile photography, setting benchmarks not only in hardware design but also in image quality. However, when it comes to raw megapixel counts, Apple has historically taken a more conservative route—prioritising image quality and software optimisation over sheer numbers. That philosophy could soon shift dramatically.
According to a leak shared by Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station, Apple is working on a massive camera upgrade that would catapult the iPhone's main sensor from the current 48MP to a staggering 200MP in a future model.
Until recently, Apple resisted the megapixel arms race led by Android competitors. It wasn't until the iPhone 14 Pro that Apple made the leap from a 12MP wide camera to a 48MP sensor—a shift that finally arrived years after Samsung and others had introduced higher-MP lenses. Today, the iPhone 16 Pro Max boasts:
A 48MP main (wide) camera with dual-pixel autofocus and advanced sensor-shift OIS
A 48MP ultra-wide camera offering macro and wide-angle capabilities
A 12MP telephoto lens with up to 5x optical zoom
A 12MP front camera, expected to be upgraded to 24MP in the iPhone 17
These upgrades have helped the iPhone maintain its position as a top choice for both casual users and mobile photography professionals. But the rumoured 200MP jump suggests Apple is preparing for a more aggressive stance in hardware innovation.
While Samsung debuted its 200MP sensor with the Galaxy S23 Ultra two years ago, Apple has historically waited until the technology matures before implementing it. This strategy allows them to refine image processing and mitigate common issues associated with high-MP sensors, such as increased image noise and slower low-light performance.
The leak does not specify when this upgrade will materialise, but several timelines are being speculated:
2026–2027: To mark the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, Apple could unveil this feature as a headline innovation for an iPhone Pro or Ultra model.
iPhone Fold: Another possible candidate is Apple's long-rumoured foldable iPhone. Expected to carry a premium price tag, a 200MP camera could serve as a signature feature to justify its positioning.
iPhone 18 or beyond: Given Apple's measured pace, the 200MP upgrade may take a few generations, arriving only once the company is confident it can deliver best-in-class results.
Despite the impressive spec jump, more megapixels doesn't automatically mean better photos. High-MP sensors tend to suffer from smaller individual pixels, which can lead to more image noise, particularly in low light. Apple will need to pair this new sensor with smarter image processing, improved stabilisation, and perhaps even new hardware like variable aperture or stacked sensors to maintain image quality.
In the meantime, the upcoming iPhone 17 is expected to feature a new 24MP front-facing camera and a 48MP telephoto lens for the Pro models—continuing Apple's incremental but consistent camera improvements.
If the leak holds true, Apple's jump to a 200MP sensor would mark a turning point in its camera strategy.
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