Apple is reportedly testing a 200-megapixel digital camera sensor for future iPhone fashions, doubtlessly matching or surpassing the capabilities of high-resolution cameras present in flagship Android gadgets from Chinese language producers like Xiaomi and Vivo.
In keeping with a leak from the Weibo account Digital Chat Station, Apple is at present experimenting with this new sensor, which might finally substitute the 48 MP major digital camera launched with the iPhone 14 Professional in 2022. The numerous enhance in megapixel rely suggests Apple is aiming to reinforce photograph and video high quality significantly in upcoming fashions.
Nevertheless, merely rising decision doesn’t assure higher picture high quality. For a 200 MP sensor to ship true enhancements, it will must be bodily bigger to seize extra gentle and element. The supply didn’t verify whether or not Apple plans to make use of a bigger sensor or the way it will deal with potential picture processing challenges.
One possible implementation might contain pixel binning, a way the place a number of pixels are mixed to enhance efficiency in low gentle and create extra detailed pictures. That is widespread in Android telephones with high-megapixel sensors and will enable Apple to supply higher-resolution images than the present 48 MP digital camera whereas balancing file dimension and readability.
One other risk is that Apple might use the 200 MP sensor for its telephoto lens, somewhat than the primary huge lens. The excessive decision would enable for lossless digital zoom by cropping into the picture with out considerably degrading high quality—a way already utilized by rivals. In very best lighting situations, this might considerably enhance zoom efficiency whereas sustaining sharpness.
Regardless of the promising leak, it’s extremely unlikely {that a} 200 MP digital camera will debut with the iPhone 17 Professional, anticipated in 2025. Apple sometimes finalizes {hardware} months forward of a product launch, and main sensor adjustments require long-term planning, testing, and manufacturing changes. Due to this fact, the primary iPhone to characteristic this enhanced digital camera know-how will possible arrive in 2026 or later.
Whereas no official pricing is out there for the rumored gadget, Professional-level iPhones sometimes begin round $999 USD. A future iPhone with a 200 MP sensor might preserve an analogous worth vary or doubtlessly enhance, relying on the scope of different upgrades included within the mannequin.
