Apple has been rumored to be considering a 200MP camera for its upcoming iPhone models on two occasions. Initially, it was suggested that this would be the main camera, and more recently, a leak indicated a potential 200MP telephoto camera, expected to debut in 2028.
A new leak from Digital Chat Station on Weibo clarifies the situation. The source reveals that Apple plans to introduce significant camera upgrades annually, starting with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max this September.
The upcoming Pro models will feature the much-anticipated variable aperture. In 2027, Apple is expected to launch a 200MP main camera equipped with a 1/1.12" type sensor, followed in 2028 by the introduction of a 200MP periscope telephoto camera. This means that the iPhone Pro models released in 2028 will boast two 200MP cameras.
Additionally, at some point in either 2027 or 2028, Apple is rumored to implement gimbal-like optical image stabilization (OIS) for the ultrawide camera. This succession of upgrades promises to make the next few years particularly exciting for the iPhone Pro lineup, although it is somewhat disappointing that Apple appears to be releasing these enhancements gradually.
Source (in Chinese)
