- Apple is reportedly evaluating suppliers for its purported 200MP telephoto camera tech for iPhone 2028.
- A jump from 48MP to a 200MP seems too high, although it will help Apple join the ranks of Samsung, Vivo, among other OEMs.
- iPhone 21 series launching in 2028 is likely to get the tech on-board although take it with a pinch of salt.
Could 2028 iPhones get a 200MP telephoto camera? Well, that’s a question a lot of people are asking as the leaks around the tech are getting attention. The latest comes from tipster Digital Chat Station (DCS), according to whom a 200MP snapper is possible on the iPhone 20 series, given the timeline is 2028. Here’s more about the tech that we know so far (and we know too little, as it is still too early).
The 2028 iPhones are coming with 200MP cameras
DCS sent out a post on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo saying future iPhones launching in 2028 could arrive with a 200MP telephoto camera. For the unversed, we are currently sitting at a 48MP periscope telephoto on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Even though it is among the best, it still seems like a stretch, and 200MP is almost four times larger.
Cupertino-based giant Apple could be exploring the 200MP snapper as per supply chain sources. Usually, Apple takes years before finalizing any major upgrades (and this is a big one). It seems appropriate that Apple has started looking for vendors for the 200MP snappers, although the tech giant hasn’t officially announced it yet.
The rumors around 2028 iPhones getting a 200MP telephoto snapper started last year. Apple was rumored to start testing the camera back in May 2025 with a launch timeline of 2027; however, DCS thinks this is too early, and a 2028 launch seems more appropriate.
This is the time when Apple will launch its iPhone 20 series, unless it chooses to launch it a year before (i.e., 2027) to celebrate its 20th anniversary of iPhones. If this happens, we are talking about the iPhone 21 series (most probably only the Pro series) that will get the aforementioned 200MP telephoto snapper.
In my opinion, I would say we will get the tech on the iPhone 21 series, as it is almost certain Apple will skip the iPhone 19 and instead launch the iPhone 20 series in 2027, again to celebrate two decades. Recently, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook stepped down after years of serving as one of the largest tech juggernauts post-Steve Jobs.
A little late to the party, as usual
Further, DCS mentions Apple is still evaluating the tech and the vendors. Sony and Samsung appear to be the biggest contenders, given their prowess in camera tech. Apple could join the 200MP sensors club in 2028, years after its competitors have already mastered the art. Instead, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra made its debut in 2023 with a 200MP camera, and we have other brands with high-resolution cameras in the works as well.
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It’s not the first time Apple has been late to a party. For years, we have been hearing about the Apple foldable phone, and we have yet to catch a glimpse of it. This year, we will likely see the iPhone Fold; however, even with the best tech in the works, Apple will still fall more than half a dozen generations behind Samsung in the foldable tech.
