200MP, made in the USA

Apple's onshoring could lead to a massive new camera sensor for iPhone.

Author

Leander Kahney
August 07, 2025

In partnership with

It looks like President Donald Trump’s onshoring strategy is actually changing where Apple makes its products.

While announcing investments of $600 billion in U.S.-based manufacturing yesterday, Cupertino said for the first time 100% of iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass would be manufactured in the United States (although it’s not clear what percentage of screens are already made stateside).

This change, and the promised investments, seem to have inspired the Trump administration to exempt Apple from crushing 100% tariffs on imported semiconductors, and also iPhones assembled in India.

Most intriguingly, Apple’s new zeal for U.S. manufacturing could lead to a partnership with Samsung for 200-megapixel camera sensors for upcoming iPhones — as soon as next year.

Also in today’s newsletter:

  • We tested a new iPhone stand from Twelve South and found it slim, lightweight and well-made.

  • The new M3 iPad Air — a lovely machine — is on sale with a pretty hefty discount.

  • Today’s the day in Apple history that saw the debut of the very first Mac Pro, a high-end desktop that completed the transition from PowerPC chips to Intel processors.

  • I was surprised by the number of readers who turned off “natural scrolling” on their Macs, according to yesterday’s poll. Based on the comments, quite a few of you guys prefer the old way. See below.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

A message from HubSpot

Want to get the most out of ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a superpower if you know how to use it correctly.

Discover how HubSpot's guide to AI can elevate both your productivity and creativity to get more things done.

Learn to automate tasks, enhance decision-making, and foster innovation with the power of AI.

Manufacturing deal could put 200MP Samsung camera in iPhone 18

The new Apple-Samsung partnership in Texas could mean a big camera upgrade -- namely, 200MP Samsung cameras in iPhone 18.

Apple will make 100% of iPhone and Apple Watch screens in US

Apple pledges to make all cover glass for iPhones and Apple Watches sold worldwide in the United States at Corning's plant in Kentucky.

Apple teams up with Samsung for next-gen chip manufacturing in US

Samsung will make chips using "never been used before anywhere in the world" technology for future Apple products at its Texas foundry.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

M3 iPad Air deal saves you $150 on Apple's speedy new tablet

Save a bundle on the 2025 M3 iPad Air with a deal on both 13-inch and 11-inch versions in a range of specs and colors.

Trump threatens 100% tariff on chips … but not on Apple

President Trump will soon hit computer makers with a 100% tariff on chips and semiconductors, but that doesn’t include Apple. Here’s why.

Steep new tariffs on India exclude iPhone

President Trump doubles the tariff rate charged on products imported into the United States from India, but the iPhone remains exempt.

A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team

Make taxes less taxing with Intuit QuickBooks for Mac or PC

If you want to track your income, expenses and more with greater ease, consider investing in Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro.

‘Play-Doh World’ and 3 other exclusive games hit Apple Arcade [Now available!]

Four new games exclusive to Apple Arcade are now live for you to play, including "Play-Doh World" and "Worms Across Worlds."

This superslim folding stand could be just what your iPhone needs [Review]

The Twelve South Curve Nano is an iPhone stand designed to go with you anywhere. We went hands-on to test it out.

Today in Apple history: Original Mac Pro packs serious Intel power

On August 7, 2006, Apple launched the first Mac Pro, a high-end desktop that completed the transition to Intel processors from Power PC chips.

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

In most people's vocabularies, design means veneer. It's interior decorating. It's the fabric of the curtains and the sofa. But to me, nothing could be further from the meaning of design. Design is the fundamental soul of a man-made creation that ends up expressing itself in successive outer layers of the product or service.

— Steve Jobs, 2000.

Today’s poll

Should Apple bring more manufacturing back to the United States?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Results from yesterday’s poll: Should Apple add controls to roll back UI changes, or decide for us?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

Reply

or to participate.