Apple is reportedly testing a 200 MP camera sensor, a noteworthy development as the company usually waits for technologies to mature. While competitors like Samsung have adopted this sensor, it’s yet to be widely used by others. The rumor suggests it might be a main camera, though details remain sparse. A leaker, Digital Chat Station, also hinted at significant design changes for upcoming iPhone models. By 2025, the iPhone 17 could feature a large camera bump, and by 2026, Face ID may move under the screen. Major changes are anticipated for the iPhone 19 Pro in 2027, including an under-display camera.
Apple has always been cautious about embracing trends, opting to wait until a new technology has proven its reliability. This may indicate that 200 MP cameras have finally reached that point, as rumors suggest Apple is currently testing such a sensor.
Details are scarce, leaving us unsure about the specific sensor or the camera in question, yet this news is intriguing nonetheless. Among its competitors, Samsung has been utilizing 200 MP in the main camera of its Ultra models (and now the S25 Edge as well), while other companies have adopted it only occasionally.
Conversely, the 200 MP periscope telephoto camera has become a common feature in high-end Chinese smartphones recently. The source of this rumor asserts that it’s “likely” Apple is testing a main camera, though the source doesn’t seem fully confident about it.
The same well-known leaker, known as Digital Chat Station on Weibo, has also offered insights into Apple’s design plans for the coming years. As noted, significant changes to the rear design of the iPhone 17 series are expected in 2025, including a prominent camera bump. Subsequently, in the following year, major adjustments are anticipated on the front, with Face ID moving under the display (likely only on Pro models), resulting in a single hole-punch for the selfie camera.
Lastly, by 2027, Apple’s iPhones are expected to undergo substantial alterations throughout. While details on the rear are unclear, the front is rumored to feature an under-display camera, paving the way for an all-screen iPhone 19 Pro. Of course, this depends on the accuracy of these rumors.
Source 1 (in Chinese) | Source 2 (in Chinese)