Apple preparing radical iPhone upgrade: New CEO’s plans revealed
Ternus may add a giant sensor and a 200 MP camera to the new iPhone (photo: Getty Images)
Future generations of iPhones may receive the biggest camera upgrade in the brand’s history. Leaks from production lines in China suggest that Apple is working on a 200-megapixel periscope telephoto lens, which would deliver unprecedented optical zoom quality, according to Weibo.
New iPhone camera: four key innovations
The insider claims Apple is moving away from a slow improvement strategy in favor of a technological leap.
What the tech giant is likely to introduce:
200 MP telephoto lens. Instead of limiting ultra-high resolution to the main camera, Apple may place a 200 MP sensor in the periscope module. This would enable extremely sharp zoomed-in shots that rival the quality of the main sensor.
Variable aperture (iPhone 18 Pro). For the first time in iPhone history, the main camera could get a mechanical variable aperture. This would allow physical control over light intake and depth of field — crucial for group photos and professional-looking bokeh effects.
Giant main sensor. In the iPhone 19 Pro or 20 Pro, the current sensor may be replaced with a significantly larger one (1–1.12 inches). According to the leak, this would bring smartphone image quality closer to professional cameras with one-inch sensors.
Stabilization improvements. The camera is expected to finally receive enhanced optical image stabilization (OIS), allowing sharper wide-angle night photos with less blur.
Ternus effect and the anniversary iPhone XX
Insiders suggest Apple may rethink its naming strategy, similar to the iPhone X era. Since the iPhone’s 20th anniversary falls in 2027–2028, the company could skip iPhone 19 and release an iPhone XX.
This generation is expected to be the first fully developed under new CEO John Ternus. Unlike previous years, when Apple waited for technologies to mature, the new approach reportedly focuses on aggressive innovation rollout.
The use of a 200 MP sensor similar to that in the Oppo Find X9 Ultra could signal Apple’s intent to reclaim leadership in mobile photography rather than simply catching up with competitors.
Early signs of this new strategy may already appear in September 2026 with the release of the iPhone 18 Pro.
