If you were hoping for a massive camera leap in the next iPhone, you may have to wait longer. According to prolific Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple has already tested a 200MP periscope telephoto camera for the iPhone. But actual adoption is still at least a couple of years away, with 2028 being the earliest realistic window (via MacRumors).
Apple has previously prioritized optical flexibility and low-light performance over chasing raw resolution numbers. The iPhone 18 Pro, for instance, is expected to arrive with a 48MP main camera featuring variable aperture, plus a 48MP telephoto camera with a longer focal length and a larger aperture.
Why does a 200MP camera matter for iPhone?
A 200MP telephoto sensor would be a significant upgrade over what the iPhone currently offers. It enables lossless-resolution zoom, meaning your long-range shots stay sharp without the quality drop you typically get from digital zoom.
Photos shot at full resolution can also be cropped much further and printed at larger sizes without losing quality. The only camera category not rumored to make the 200MP jump is the ultrawide.
Apple first brought a tetraprism telephoto camera to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with variable aperture technology now reportedly headed to the iPhone 18 Pro.
Many Android phones already have a 200MP camera
Android makers have had a considerable head start here. Chinese brands have collectively invested roughly $29.3 million, to incorporate 200MP periscope cameras into their devices. The Vivo X100 Ultra was first with the tech in 2024, followed by the OPPO Find X9 Pro, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and HONOR Magic 7 Pro.
Morgan Stanley has separately projected Apple won’t introduce the 200MP camera until 2028, which now aligns with what Digital Chat Station is reporting. This is a notable reversal from March, when the same leaker suggested the sensor could arrive as early as next year. It seems that the supply chain evidence no longer supports the claim.
As with any rumor, one should treat this timeline with a healthy dose of skepticism until Apple makes anything official.