Apple could follow Samsung, use a 200MP camera in future iPhones

Samsung was the first smartphone brand to consistently use 200MP sensors. Over the past couple of years, several Chinese smartphone brands have also adopted 200MP sensors for primary or telephoto cameras. Now, it appears that Apple could follow the same path with future iPhones.

A report from Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station claims that Apple has started testing a 200MP camera sensor for the primary camera on upcoming iPhones. The report suggests that it could be the same solution used in the OPPO Find X9 Ultra. If accurate, the sensor would be the Sony LYTIA 901 (1/1.12-inch optical format). This trend suggests that Samsung’s early move toward ultra-high-resolution sensors was well-founded.

The sensor that Apple is testing is larger than the 1/1.3-inch 200MP ISOCELL sensors used in devices like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold 7. So, it should theoretically offer better camera quality. Samsung has been using 1/1.3-inch 200MP ISOCELL sensors in its flagship phones since the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and hasn't increased the sensor size.

In comparison, OPPO’s upcoming Find X9 Ultra is expected to feature a 1/1.12-inch 200MP (Sony LYTIA 901) primary camera and a 1/1.4-inch 200MP (OmniVision or Samsung) telephoto camera.

The South Korean firm has also secured a contract to supply camera sensors for future iPhones, although reports indicate those will be 48MP ultrawide sensors.

The Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to retain a 1/1.3-inch 200MP primary camera but with newer technologies to improve image and video quality. The primary camera is expected to feature variable aperture for added flexibility. The iPhone 18 series is also expected to have a variable aperture system.

It is also rumored that the Galaxy S27 Ultra will use an upgraded ultrawide camera while retaining the same telephoto setup as the Galaxy S26 Ultra. While Samsung is reportedly developing a 1/1.12-inch 200MP ISOCELL sensor, it won't be used in the Galaxy S27 Ultra.

Going forward, Samsung may need to adopt larger camera sensors in its future Galaxy S Ultra devices if it wants to stay competitive with iPhones and flagship smartphones from Chinese brands in terms of camera quality.