Apple may be preparing a major camera upgrade for future iPhones, as a new rumor suggests the company is currently testing a 200MP rear camera sensor.
Apple exploring 200MP cameras
According to tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, citing supply chain sources, Apple is evaluating a large 200MP sensor for a future iPhone model. This would mark a significant shift, as iPhones have yet to adopt ultra-high-resolution sensors, unlike many Android competitors.
For context, the current iPhone 17 Pro Max features a triple 48MP camera setup, highlighting how big of a jump a move to 200MP would be.
The sensor being tested is reportedly a 1/1.12-inch unit, which is considered relatively large for smartphone cameras. Interestingly, this same sensor size is expected to debut on the upcoming OPPO Find X9 Ultra, which is rumored to feature dual 200MP cameras.
The leak also notes that Apple is testing the sensor for use as the main rear camera, rather than for a telephoto or periscope lens.
While the sensor is expected to become commercially available next year, that does not guarantee it will appear in the next iPhone generation. Apple is still said to be in the testing phase, and final implementation decisions remain unclear.
Meanwhile, other brands are already pushing ahead with 200MP setups. The upcoming vivo X300 Ultra has been confirmed to feature dual 200MP cameras, including a Sony LYTIA-901 1/1.12-inch main sensor and a Samsung HP0 sensor for periscope telephoto.