Apple’s long-term iPhone roadmap is beginning to take shape.
Although the iPhone 17 series launched globally in September 2025, reports already hint at major upgrades planned for future models.
According to a new report, Apple is preparing a massive camera leap for the iPhone 21 series. The series is expected to debut in 2028.
At the same time, the company may replace Sony with Samsung as its main camera sensor supplier.
iPhone 21 Series Camera Upgrade (Leak)
- The iPhone 21 lineup could become Apple’s first smartphones with a 200-megapixel camera sensor.
- The sensor will reportedly be supplied by Samsung and manufactured at its Texas facility.
- Apple is said to have rejected Sony’s solution, as it failed to meet performance requirements.
- Samsung’s CMOS sensors reportedly offered better imaging capabilities and production stability.
- Apple is also evaluating new LiDAR sensor suppliers, with STMicro emerging as a potential partner.
- Despite these shifts, Face ID sensors may continue to be sourced from LITE.
Under-Display Face ID Coming in 2027
- Analysts at Morgan Stanley predict that Apple’s 20th anniversary iPhone models launching in 2027 will feature under-display Face ID.
- This would remove the visible Face ID module and allow for a cleaner display design.
Current iPhone 17 Series Camera Setup
The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max currently ship with:
- 48MP main camera
- 48MP ultra-wide camera
- 48MP telephoto camera
Additional highlights include:
- Telephoto sensor 56% larger than iPhone 16 Pro
- 8x optical zoom and 40x digital zoom
- 18MP Centre Stage front camera on all iPhone 17 models
What This Means for Apple’s Camera Strategy
Apple’s possible move to Samsung marks the biggest change in its camera supply chain in years.
If the 200MP upgrade materializes, the iPhone 21 could become Apple’s most dramatic imaging leap since the first iPhone.