Apple will add 200-megapixel cameras to iPhones in 2028, according to a Morgan Stanley investor note obtained by AppleInsider. The investment bank's researchers say Samsung will supply the high-resolution sensors, marking Apple's first major camera resolution jump since moving from 12MP to 48MP.
Current iPhone models use 48MP cameras across all rear lenses, including Ultra Wide and Telephoto. The 200MP upgrade represents more than a fourfold increase in resolution and follows earlier leaks from Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station, who reported Apple was working on the technology last spring.
Morgan Stanley analysts expect the 200MP camera to debut with the iPhone 21 lineup in 2028. The timing allows Apple to diversify its supply chain beyond current suppliers and potentially reduce costs. Samsung may manufacture the CMOS image sensors at its Austin, Texas facility, aligning with Apple's push to increase US-based component production.
The camera upgrade comes as Apple prepares to launch its entry-level iPhone 17e this spring. Chinese tipster Smart Pikachu reports the budget model will replace its notch with a Dynamic Island cutout and use a downclocked version of the A19 chip found in premium iPhone 17 models. Mass production for the iPhone 17e should begin in coming weeks, according to GSM Arena.
Apple's iPhone 17 family continues to dominate the Chinese market despite earlier analyst predictions of decline. Tipster Ice Universe reports Apple sold 15.57 million iPhone 17 variants in China by December 31, roughly 5.5 times the sales volume of Xiaomi's 17 series. The performance exceeds combined sales of all other Chinese flagship smartphones.
Counterpoint Research data shows Apple captured 25% of China's smartphone market in October, matching a milestone last achieved in 2022. The company is projected to end 2025 with 10% year-over-year iPhone shipment growth, reaching 19.4% global market share - the highest among smartphone manufacturers.
While camera technology advances, iPhone durability continues to impress users. An iPhone 16 owner reported their device survived two hours underwater at six meters in freezing river conditions, according to a Reddit post. Apple rates iPhone 16 models at IP68 with 30-minute water resistance at six meters, but real-world performance sometimes exceeds laboratory specifications.
Some users are reconsidering Apple's ecosystem as Android alternatives improve. Tech Advisor reports switching from iPhone to Android flagships like Xiaomi's 15T Pro delivers superior battery life and faster charging at similar price points. Xiaomi's Interconnectivity app bridges ecosystem gaps by enabling AirDrop-like file sharing and phone mirroring on Mac computers.
Morgan Stanley expects Apple to absorb component cost increases rather than raise iPhone prices, despite supply chain diversification efforts. The bank also predicts under-display Face ID technology could arrive in 2027, coinciding with the iPhone's 20th anniversary.
Apple's camera roadmap reflects the company's measured approach to hardware upgrades. The 200MP sensor represents both a technical leap and strategic supply chain expansion, while current iPhone 17 models demonstrate Apple's continued market strength in competitive regions like China.
