When it comes to smartphone cameras, Apple has never been the one to chase megapixel values. While brands like Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo are bringing breakthrough imaging year after year, Apple has taken its sweet time to make a massive leap. However, it might be finally time for iPhones to receive a massive camera upgrade as Apple is reportedly toying with the idea of a 200 MP camera.
Apple Reportedly Testing a 200 MP Periscope Camera for iPhones
The official Digital Chat Station (DCS) Weibo handle has revealed that Apple is internally considering a 200 MP periscope camera for future iPhone models. If true, this will be a huge jump from the 48 MP camera we have seen inside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
However, before fans can get too excited, it is almost certain that this 200 MP behemoth will not be part of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. We have already heard Apple testing a 200 MP camera previously and back then, we learned Apple could jump ship only after 2028. Hence, the first 200 MP iPhone is likely going to be either the iPhone 20 series of the iPhone 21 lineup.
Even then, Apple's move to a 200 MP camera is sure to help it rival the goliaths like Oppo and Vivo. The Oppo Find X9 Ultra went official last night with not one but two 200 MP cameras. Hence, a megapixel-count-periscope camera will help iPhones deliver lossless zoom levels with all details intact and barely any requirement for computational processing.
That said, the move to a 200 MP camera for iPhones is certainly not going to be a cheap affair for Apple. The iPhone 18 Pro's variable aperture is already said to drive up supply chain costs for the Cupertino brand and with the RAM crisis in full swing, it won't be easy for Apple to make breakthrough innovations without hiking prices in the future.
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