Amazon co-founder MacKenzie Scott has donated over $19 billion to charity in just five years
Diamond batteries powered by nuclear waste promise 28,000 years of clean energy
Is Apple Really Preparing a 200 MP iPhone?
According to the Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple is currently testing a 200 MP main camera sensor. The news, shared on Weibo, mentions a prototype under evaluation without specifying the model. If this rumor proves true, it would mark a significant departure for Apple, which has maintained a 48 MP standard since the iPhone 14 Pro. This upgrade could coincide with a strengthened partnership with Samsung, potentially replacing Sony as the supplier of future sensors. However, there is no indication that the sensor size would increase; a resolution jump does not necessarily guarantee better low-light performance.
Why Apple Might Finally Join the Megapixel Race
Since 2023, Samsung has been incorporating 200 MP sensors like the ISOCELL HP2 in its Galaxy S23 Ultra, continuing this trend with the S24 and S25 models. Apple, meanwhile, has traditionally focused more on software processing than on pixel count. However, the need for better handling of digital zooms and high-quality cropping might explain this shift. A 200 MP sensor could offer a 3x “optical” zoom without a dedicated telephoto lens, relying instead on cropping within the image. This approach could also compensate for the lack of a periscope on non-Pro models while enhancing sharpness at longer focal lengths.
Which Models Could Benefit, and When?
The expected iPhone 17 Pro Max set to release in September will likely feature three 48 MP sensors. The Air model would continue with a single 48 MP camera. Thus, no 200 MP cameras are slated for this year. The 200 MP sensor is more likely considered for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, or perhaps even a later model. This strategic delay would give Apple time to refine image capture, particularly addressing known issues with ultra-high-resolution sensors such as shutter lag, noise management, and low-light performance—areas where Samsung already has a head start.
Apple’s entry into the 200 MP arena could significantly change the game. Samsung is reportedly preparing a countermove with a 300 MP sensor, or possibly even higher. Meanwhile, brands like Xiaomi, vivo, and HONOR are already utilizing 200 MP sensors for periscopic zoom capabilities. Apple could take cues from these developments to enhance its photographic capabilities without adding more modules.