Future iPhones Could Feature Samsung-Made 200MP Cameras

It’s no secret that Samsung supplies several key components for Apple’s iPhones. From display panels and batteries to camera sensors and memory chips, many of the parts inside an iPhone are made by Samsung. That relationship could deepen even further soon, as Apple is reportedly planning a future iPhone with a 200MP camera, and once again, Samsung is expected to supply the sensor.

Samsung might power Apple’s first 200MP iPhone camera

Apple’s iPhones have relied on 48MP rear cameras for several generations now, but that may not remain the case for much longer. A new report, citing an investor note from Morgan Stanley, suggests that the company is preparing to upgrade to a 200MP camera as early as 2028. More importantly, the report claims Apple may source those 200MP sensors from Samsung.

That would represent a major design win for Samsung’s camera division, especially as Apple continues to diversify its component suppliers. The Korean firm has already secured orders to supply 48MP ultrawide camera sensors for future iPhone models. A 200MP deal would further strengthen that partnership. It’s unclear if Apple would use an off-the-shelf 200MP sensor from Samsung or request a custom-designed version.

Apple reportedly also considered Sony’s 200MP cameras. However, those sensors failed to match Samsung’s technology. That said, there’s still a lot of time before Apple finally starts production of an iPhone with a 200MP primary sensor. Sony may be able to improve its products during this time, potentially stealing a portion of 200MP camera orders from Samsung.

While a 200MP sensor sounds dramatically larger on paper, these sensors are not physically much bigger than the 48MP units currently used in iPhones. The advantage lies in resolution and flexibility. A 200MP sensor can capture significantly more detail and enables advanced pixel-binning techniques, improved digital zoom, and greater flexibility in cropping.

Plenty depends on the processor and image-processing algorithms, though. After all, hardware is only part of the actual capabilities of a camera. Apple is already pretty strong in those areas, so an upgrade to a 200MP sensor could make a real difference in picture quality. More details should emerge in the coming months.