Android Brands to Adopt Samsung's 200MP Zoom Cameras—Except Samsung

June 28, 2025 June 28, 2025

The Rise of 200MP Zoom Cameras: Everyone's Using Them Except Samsung

Smartphone cameras have been constantly improving, with sensor sizes getting bigger and bigger. The latest big thing is the 200MP camera. Samsung is the leading manufacturer of these high-resolution sensors. Interestingly, they've found a significant market for these 200MP cameras, but not for their own flagship phones.

While Samsung produces these impressive 200MP telephoto cameras – the HP3, HP5, and HP9 models – they're primarily used in other brands' phones, rather than Samsung's own Galaxy lineup. You'll find them as the main, wide-angle camera in Samsung's "Ultra" models like the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but not in the zoom capabilities. This leaves many wondering why Samsung, the creator of this cutting-edge technology, isn't fully utilizing its potential in their own premium devices.

The Rise of 200MP Cameras in the Chinese Market

The adoption of 200MP telephoto cameras hasn't been immediate, but it's steadily gaining traction. A significant driver of this growth appears to be the Chinese smartphone market. Reports indicate a substantial increase in the use of these high-resolution zoom sensors by Chinese phone manufacturers.

The vivo X200 Ultra, released in April, was a significant step forward, showcasing a 200MP periscope lens for superior zoom capabilities. This demonstrated the potential of the technology, and it seems that other Chinese brands are following suit. Reliable industry insider, Ice Universe, predicted a widespread adoption of Samsung's HP3, HP5, and HP9 telephoto cameras in flagship Chinese phones.

The use of these sensors in flagship devices suggests high expectations for performance. Companies like Vivo have already received praise for their impressive camera technology, setting a high bar for other manufacturers using Samsung's 200MP sensors. This increase in adoption means consumers can expect improved zoom capabilities and image quality in many upcoming high-end phones from Chinese brands.

The question remains: why isn't Samsung using these 200MP zoom cameras in their own phones? Samsung is considered a pioneer in smartphone camera technology, particularly in the area of zoom. It's intriguing that they are supplying this technology to competitors while seemingly holding back on its use within their own devices. It would be exciting to see how Samsung could innovate and leverage this superior technology in their own Galaxy range to further enhance their already leading camera systems.

Samsung's Strategy: A Deep Dive

There are several possible explanations for Samsung's decision to not fully integrate their 200MP telephoto cameras into their Galaxy phones. It's important to consider that the development and manufacturing of camera sensors is a complex and costly process. Samsung might be prioritizing the supply of these sensors to other manufacturers as a revenue stream, securing a significant market share in the components sector. This could also be a strategic move to help define industry standards and further enhance their reputation as a leading technology innovator.

Additionally, Samsung might be reserving the most advanced iterations of their 200MP technology for future models, continually refining and improving performance before deploying it in their own flagship devices. There could be internal challenges or hurdles in fully integrating these high-resolution sensors into their existing camera systems and software optimization, requiring additional development time and resources.

Another factor to consider is the potential impact on battery life and processing power. The processing of 200MP images is demanding, requiring more powerful processors and potentially draining battery life faster. Samsung may be waiting for advancements in both chip technology and battery technology to ensure a seamless and optimal user experience with these high-resolution sensors.

Finally, the company's overall strategy could involve carefully considering the optimal balance between image quality and cost. Integrating cutting-edge technology can significantly increase the production cost of a device, potentially affecting its overall price and market competitiveness. Samsung might be taking a cautious approach, strategically determining the optimal time to integrate the 200MP telephoto sensors into their Galaxy phones to maximize market impact and profitability.