Apple’s iPhone cameras have evolved steadily over the years—but a much bigger leap may be on the horizon. According to fresh supply chain intelligence and trusted leaker reports, Apple is actively evaluating 200-megapixel camera sensors and multispectral imaging technology for future iPhones, potentially arriving after the iPhone 18 series.
While iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to focus on low-light performance and variable aperture cameras, Apple’s long-term roadmap suggests a radical shift in imaging capabilities by the end of this decade.
Here’s everything we currently know—clearly broken down, fully explained, and updated using all available sources.
Apple’s Long-Term iPhone Camera Strategy Is Bigger Than Just Megapixels
Apple is reportedly planning a major redesign of the iPhone ecosystem by 2027–2028, impacting:
- Camera hardware
- Imaging sensors
- LiDAR suppliers
- Computational photography
- Visual Intelligence & AI
Rather than rushing into extreme megapixel counts like some Android competitors, Apple appears to be taking a measured, research-heavy approach, prioritizing real-world image quality, low-light performance, and AI-assisted imaging.
Will iPhone 18 Have a 200MP Camera?
Short Answer: No.
According to Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station, Apple never planned a 200MP camera for iPhone 18.
iPhone 18 Pro Camera Setup (Prototype Stage)
Current engineering prototypes reportedly feature:
- 48MP main camera
- Variable aperture (a first for iPhones)
- 48MP periscope telephoto lens
- Larger aperture
- Longer focal length
- Improved low-light performance
- Better depth control and background separation
This confirms that Apple is prioritizing light intake and optical flexibility, not megapixel marketing—for now.
Apple Is Evaluating a 200MP Camera Sensor (But It’s Not in Prototypes Yet)
Timeline: iPhone 21 (Expected in 2028)
According to Morgan Stanley and corroborated by Digital Chat Station:
- Apple is evaluating a 200MP camera sensor
- Supplier under consideration: Samsung
- Status: Material testing phase only
- No real-world image testing yet
- Not present in any current iPhone prototypes
This strongly suggests that 200MP iPhones are still several generations away, possibly debuting with the iPhone 21 in 2028, if Apple greenlights the technology.
Why Apple Is Hesitating on 200MP Sensors
Unlike Android brands that already ship 200MP cameras, Apple faces unique constraints:
- Image processing pipeline must meet Apple’s quality standards
- Larger sensors impact internal space & thermal design
- High-resolution sensors demand more power and storage
- Apple favors usable dynamic range over pixel count
In short, Apple won’t adopt 200MP until it delivers a noticeable real-world benefit, not just bigger numbers.
Multispectral Imaging: Apple’s Most Interesting Camera Experiment Yet
Beyond megapixels, Apple is also exploring multispectral imaging technology—a move that could redefine smartphone photography altogether.
What Is Multispectral Imaging?
Traditional smartphone cameras capture light using:
- Red
- Green
- Blue (RGB)
Multispectral imaging, however, captures data across multiple wavelength bands, including:
- Near-infrared (NIR)
- Narrow spectral ranges invisible to the human eye
How Multispectral Imaging Could Transform iPhones
If Apple adopts this technology, future iPhones could gain:
1. Advanced Material Detection
- Better differentiation between skin, fabric, metal, glass, and vegetation
- More accurate edge detection
- Cleaner portrait cutouts
2. Smarter Visual Intelligence
- Improved object recognition
- Enhanced scene understanding
- Better AI-driven photography decisions
3. Superior Image Processing
- Better results in mixed lighting
- Improved HDR accuracy
- More realistic color science
4. Improved Depth & Spatial Awareness
- Potential synergy with LiDAR
- Better AR and spatial computing experiences
Why Multispectral Imaging Isn’t Coming Soon
Despite its potential, Apple is still only evaluating components at the supply-chain level.
- No physical prototype testing yet
- Higher cost and complexity
- Increased sensor design challenges
- Internal space constraints inside iPhones
This places multispectral imaging firmly in Apple’s mid-to-long-term roadmap, not a near-term upgrade.
Apple Also Considering New LiDAR Suppliers
Another key detail from Morgan Stanley’s report:
- Apple is exploring STMicroelectronics as an additional LiDAR supplier
- Sony is currently Apple’s sole LiDAR provider
This could:
- Reduce supply chain risk
- Improve sensor innovation
- Support future imaging and spatial computing features
Apple vs Android: Two Very Different Camera Philosophies
Digital Chat Station also noted an important contrast:
“Chinese phone manufacturers are definitely more forward-thinking.”
Android brands often:
- Adopt new camera hardware early
- Push extreme specifications quickly
Apple, on the other hand:
- Tests longer
- Launches later
- Focuses on ecosystem-level optimization
This explains why Apple is studying 200MP and multispectral imaging now—so it can deploy them only when they truly outperform existing solutions.
What This Means for Future iPhones
iPhone 18 Series
- No 200MP camera
- Strong focus on:
- Variable aperture
- Low-light photography
- Optical improvements
iPhone 19–20
- Gradual refinements
- Continued computational photography advances
iPhone 21 (2028 – If Approved)
- Possible debut of:
- 200MP camera sensor
- Multispectral imaging
- Advanced Visual Intelligence features
Final Verdict
Apple’s camera future isn’t about chasing specs—it’s about building the most intelligent imaging system in a smartphone.
While 200MP cameras and multispectral imaging are not coming to iPhone 18, Apple’s active evaluation confirms that a major camera revolution is brewing behind the scenes.
If and when Apple launches these technologies, they won’t just change iPhone photography—they could redefine how smartphones see the world.
