When it comes to the specs of its iPhones, Apple has never really been one to chase the numbers. This is evident in its cameras, where Apple has never stressed too much on how many megapixels its cameras are packing. However, that could change in the future, as Apple is rumored to be testing a 200MP camera for a future iPhone.
200MP iPhone camera incoming?
According to reliable tipster Digital Chat Station, Apple is testing a 200MP camera for a future iPhone. Remember, there’s no guarantee that Apple will include it in a future iPhone. Maybe the company wants to see if there are any real-world benefits or gains to introducing a 200MP sensor.
However, if the company decides to proceed with it, the iPhone’s cameras would, on paper, be on par with those of other Android handset makers—in terms of megapixels. We’re already seeing how some Android phones are packing camera sensors above 100MP. If Apple goes with a 200MP sensor, it will put it in rarefied air.
Also, if the Cupertino company approves the 200MP camera, don’t expect to see it in this year’s refresh. According to the latest rumors, the iPhone 17 will have a 48MP camera. This means we’ll have to wait until 2026 or later for an iPhone with a larger sensor.
The megapixel race
That being said, it’s surprising that Apple would jump from a 48MP sensor to a 200MP sensor. That’s quite a leap. However, given that the smartphone market is incredibly mature, maybe Apple needs a marketing gimmick like a 200MP sensor to attract more customers.
We should point out that a high megapixel count is great for marketing material. However, its uses are limited in the real world. A higher megapixel sensor basically means that the camera can shoot at a higher resolution. If you want to print your photos on a larger canvas, posters, or billboards, then a higher resolution means your photos look less pixelated.
However, if you only plan to upload to social media or share it over messenger apps, a higher-resolution photo doesn’t matter quite as much. Social media platforms and messengers tend to compress images anyway, so the overall size is reduced. Don’t get us wrong—it helps, but it’s not as important as you might think.
Either way, we don’t know what Apple’s plans are at the moment. So, take it with a grain of salt for now.
