Highlights
- Morgan Stanley predicts Apple will introduce a 200-megapixel camera in the iPhone 21 in 2028.
- Apple is expanding suppliers and boosting US-based production to reduce reliance on single sources with Sony and STMicro involved in camera and LiDAR components.
- Under-display Face ID is expected in 2027, while Apple maintains its current supplier (LITE) for Face ID sensors.
Apple is expected to introduce 200-megapixel cameras to the iPhone lineup in 2028, according to researchers at investment bank Morgan Stanley. The report suggests that Apple will rely on Samsung’s 200MP camera technology while also expanding its supplier base to reduce long-term costs and avoid dependence on a single source.
iPhone 21 Likely to Be First With 200MP Camera
While speculation around Apple’s shift to 200MP cameras has been circulating for some time, Morgan Stanley believes the upgrade will arrive later than some earlier predictions. The firm’s note to investors, seen by AppleInsider, states that the iPhone 21 will be the first Apple device to feature a 200MP camera sensor.
Previously, it was widely expected that Apple would move to 200MP cameras at some point with some reports even predicting the change could happen as early as the iPhone 18 series. Last spring, Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station claimed that Apple was already developing a 200MP version of the iPhone camera.
Supplier Diversification and US Manufacturing Plans
According to Morgan Stanley, the delayed timeline is partly linked to Apple’s efforts to diversify its supply chain rather than rely on a single supplier. The move is also believed to align with Apple’s broader goal of increasing iPhone component production in the United States.
This supports earlier reports suggesting that Samsung could manufacture CMOS image sensors for future iPhones at its facility in Austin, Texas. Those reports also indicated that Apple plans to adopt a 200MP camera in a future iPhone model, potentially because Sony has not been able to match Samsung’s sensor technology at that level.
A closer look at the iPhone 17 Pro series internal camera module. (Image credit – Apple)
Camera Suppliers and LiDAR Changes
Sony currently supplies several camera components for the iPhone and is also involved in providing LiDAR sensors. However, Morgan Stanley notes that Apple is now in discussions with STMicro as an additional supplier for LiDAR components, signalling further diversification in this area as well.
At present, Apple equips all rear iPhone cameras including Ultra Wide and Telephoto lenses with 48MP sensors. The main camera was the first to transition from 12MP to 48MP, setting the stage for future resolution upgrades.
Face ID Roadmap and Supply Chain Outlook
Despite expected changes to camera hardware, Morgan Stanley does not anticipate any major shift in the supply chain for Face ID sensors. These components are currently supplied by a single company, LITE, and the firm believes this arrangement will continue.
That said, Morgan Stanley researchers are confident that under-display Face ID technology could arrive in 2027, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone.
The report suggests that Apple’s strategy of expanding suppliers and adjusting component sourcing should help maintain stable supplies while keeping costs under control. As a result, Morgan Stanley expects Apple to continue absorbing rising component costs instead of passing them on to consumers.
FAQs
Q1. When will Apple introduce a 200MP camera in the iPhone?
Answer. Apple is expected to debut a 200-megapixel camera in the iPhone 21, slated for release in 2028, according to Morgan Stanley’s report.
Q2. Which suppliers will Apple rely on for the 200MP camera and other components?
Answer. Apple will primarily use Samsung’s 200MP sensor technology, while also diversifying suppliers. Sony remains involved in camera components, and Apple is in talks with STMicro for LiDAR sensors to reduce reliance on a single source.
Q3. What changes are expected in Face ID technology?
Answer. Morgan Stanley anticipates under-display Face ID arriving in 2027, coinciding with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary. However, Apple is expected to continue sourcing Face ID sensors from its current supplier, LITE.