Apple unlikely to add 200MP telephoto camera to iPhone before 2028

According to well-known leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple is unlikely to introduce a 200-megapixel telephoto camera in the iPhone before 2028. The information was shared on China's Weibo platform, where the leaker stated that Apple has evaluated a 200 MP sensor for a periscope-style camera, but its adoption remains years away.

The leaker did not specify the reasons for the delay, though previous comments indicated Apple’s focus on improving optical flexibility and low-light performance rather than raw resolution jumps. This year, the expected iPhone 18 Pro will feature a 48 MP main camera with a variable aperture and a 48 MP telephoto with a longer focal length and larger aperture.

Back in March, Digital Chat Station suggested a 200 MP sensor could arrive as early as 2024, but recent supply chain evidence no longer supports that claim. Instead, Morgan Stanley reported that Apple aims to bring a 200 MP camera to the iPhone by 2028, aligning more closely with current information.

Meanwhile, Samsung introduced a 200 MP rear camera with the Galaxy S23 Ultra in 2023, and subsequent models also feature it. A 200 MP camera would allow iPhone users to capture more detailed photos, with higher resolution for cropping or large-format printing without quality loss.

Digital Chat Station has a large following on Weibo and has previously shared accurate details about Apple’s future products, lending credibility to these rumors.