"Apple is reportedly planning its biggest iPhone camera upgrade yet, with a 200MP sensor expected to debut in the 2028 iPhone 21 series, according to Morgan Stanley."
Apple is preparing one of its biggest camera upgrades in iPhone history. According to a new investor note from Morgan Stanley, the company plans to introduce a 200MP rear camera with the iPhone 21 series, expected to launch in 2028. If this report turns out to be accurate, it would mark a major shift in Apple camera strategy and a significant leap in image resolution.
What is Apple planning for the iPhone 21 camera?
The iPhone 21 lineup is rumored to feature a 200 megapixel camera sensor supplied by Samsung. This would be Apple’s highest resolution camera ever, far exceeding the current 48MP sensors used across all rear cameras on modern iPhones.
The information comes from Morgan Stanley research, first highlighted by AppleInsider. The report suggests that Samsung will manufacture these sensors, potentially at its Austin, Texas facility, aligning with Apple’s growing focus on US based manufacturing.
Why is Apple waiting until 2028?
Many readers may wonder why Apple is taking so long to adopt a 200MP sensor, especially since Samsung has already been using this technology for several years. According to analysts, the delay is largely about supply chain stability and quality control.
- Apple wants to avoid depending too heavily on a single supplier.
- Samsung currently leads in 200MP smartphone sensor production.
- Sony, Apple’s long time camera partner, has not matched Samsung at this resolution yet.
This cautious approach fits Apple’s long standing philosophy of adopting new hardware only when it meets strict performance and reliability standards.
From 12MP to 48MP to 200MP: A quick camera evolution
Apple has historically been conservative with megapixel increases. For years, iPhones stuck with 12MP sensors while competitors raced ahead on paper specs. That changed in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro, which introduced a 48MP main camera.
| iPhone generation | Main camera resolution |
|---|---|
| iPhone 13 and earlier | 12MP |
| iPhone 14 Pro and later | 48MP |
| iPhone 21 (rumored) | 200MP |
Today, Apple uses 48MP sensors not only for the main camera, but also for ultra wide and telephoto lenses. The jump to 200MP would be Apple’s largest single resolution increase to date.
How does Samsung’s 200MP camera technology work?
Samsung first introduced 200MP sensors with the Galaxy S23 Ultra in 2023. Since then, the technology has matured and appeared in newer flagship models.
These sensors rely heavily on pixel binning, a technique where multiple small pixels are combined into one larger pixel. This helps improve low light performance while keeping file sizes manageable.
By default, 200MP sensors usually output 12MP photos, but users can switch to full resolution mode when needed.
If Apple adopts similar behavior, users may not notice a massive jump in everyday photos, but they could benefit from:
- More detail for cropping
- Improved digital zoom
- Better future computational photography features
What about iPhone 18 and the 20th anniversary iPhone?
If the Morgan Stanley timeline is accurate, Apple will stick with 48MP sensors for several more years. That includes:
- iPhone 18 series in 2026
- iPhone 20 series in 2027, marking 20 years of iPhone
Interestingly, analysts believe Apple will absorb higher component costs instead of raising prices. This follows a recent trend where Apple increased base storage rather than making iPhones more expensive.
What about Face ID and other sensors?
According to the same report, Face ID sensors will likely continue to come from LITE for now. However, under display Face ID technology could finally arrive in 2027 with the anniversary iPhone.
Should iPhone users care about a 200MP camera?
Megapixels alone do not define camera quality, and Apple users know this well. Still, a 200MP sensor opens the door to more advanced imaging features powered by software and AI.
For most users, the real benefits will come from better zoom, clearer details, and more flexibility in photo editing, rather than simply higher resolution numbers.
FAQs
Will a 200MP camera make iPhone photos better?
Not automatically. Image quality depends on sensor size, processing, and software. However, a 200MP sensor gives Apple more data to work with.
Is Samsung really supplying Apple’s camera sensors?
Yes. According to Morgan Stanley, Samsung is expected to supply the 200MP sensors despite being a major Apple competitor.
Will this increase iPhone prices?
Analysts believe Apple may absorb the extra cost instead of raising prices, similar to its recent pricing strategies.
