Apple won't launch a 200-megapixel telephoto camera on the iPhone before 2028, according to well-known leaker Digital Chat Station. The Weibo-based source reports that Apple has tested a 200MP sensor for a periscope-type camera in prototypes, but commercial adoption remains at least a couple of years away.

The leaker didn't specify reasons for the delay, though they've previously noted Apple's focus on improving optical flexibility and low-light performance rather than chasing raw resolution numbers. This year's iPhone 18 Pro will instead feature a 48MP main camera with variable aperture and a 48MP telephoto with a longer focal length and larger aperture.

Digital Chat Station's timeline marks a shift from March, when they claimed a 200MP sensor could ship as soon as next year. Supply chain evidence no longer supports that claim. Morgan Stanley independently reported in January that Apple aims for a 200MP camera by 2028, aligning with this latest assessment. Samsung already offers 200MP sensors on its Galaxy S23 Ultra and subsequent models.