The future iPhone may get a 200MP camera from Samsung

Apple seems to be seriously aiming for a leap in mobile photography. Back in May, there were rumors of the company testing a 200MP sensor for future iPhones, but no details were revealed at the time. Given that 200MP cameras are already almost standard in flagship Android smartphones, it makes sense that Apple would evaluate whether the technology meets its own image quality requirements.

Now a new Morgan Stanley investor report claims that Apple has already made up its mind and is indeed planning to use a 200MP camera in the iPhone 21, due out in 2028. In terms of numbering, the company is expected to introduce the iPhone 20 — in 2027 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first iPhone. Accordingly, the 2028 model will logically be called the iPhone 21.

It’s highly likely that the 200-megapixel camera will debut in the top of the line — iPhone 21 Pro Max and possibly iPhone 21 Pro. The supplier of the sensor will be Samsung, but it is not yet clear which sensor we are talking about. Given that the release is still a few years away, the sensor itself may not even be announced at the moment.

It’s also interesting that this 200MP sensor could potentially be manufactured by Samsung in the US, which fits in with Apple’s overall strategy of diversifying its supply chain and partially localizing production.

If these plans are confirmed, the move to 200MP could be one of the most notable hardware upgrades to the iPhone camera in years — especially if Apple manages to integrate such a high resolution without compromising on proprietary image processing and video capture.