Apple may finally be closing in on its long-rumoured all-screen iPhone.
According to fresh leaks, the company plans to debut under-display camera technology in a foldable iPhone before bringing the design to a landmark 2027 model.
Apple is expected to introduce next-generation under-screen camera technology in its first foldable iPhone, reportedly launching next year.
The claim comes from Digital Chat Station, a well-known Chinese leaker on Weibo.
According to the report, Apple will use the foldable device as a testing ground before adapting the technology for its 20th anniversary iPhone in 2027.
The strategy is aimed at gauging consumer response to a truly uninterrupted display.
The under-screen camera places the lens beneath the display, removing visible cutouts entirely. Apple is said to be taking a cautious approach by rolling out the technology in stages.
By debuting it in a foldable iPhone, Apple can evaluate real-world performance and user feedback before committing it to a mainstream flagship.
This phased rollout aligns with Apple’s traditionally conservative hardware strategy.
Touch ID returns in foldable iPhone
The foldable iPhone is also expected to rely on side-button integrated Touch ID instead of Face ID. This decision is reportedly due to internal space constraints in the foldable design.
As a result, the so-called “iPhone Fold” could become Apple’s first device with a fully uninterrupted, all-screen display.
Achieving this design goal has been a long-standing ambition for Apple, supported by several past patents.
Under-screen face ID
One major factor behind Apple’s timing is progress on under-screen Face ID.
Leaks suggest Apple has developed an under-display version of its TrueDepth camera system.
The company is reportedly using a special “spliced micro-transparent glass” window within the display.
This allows Face ID’s infrared sensors to function normally while remaining hidden beneath the screen.
Several rumours indicate this technology could appear in the iPhone 18 Pro models next year.
If accurate, it may significantly shrink the Dynamic Island.
Under-screen Face ID is seen as a lower-risk step compared to hiding a front-facing camera.
Biometric sensors are more tolerant of display interference than cameras, where image quality issues are immediately visible.
This makes Face ID the logical first component for Apple to move under the display.
Once refined, the company can then apply similar techniques to selfie cameras.
24-megapixel under-screen camera
The second major development is Apple’s reported 24-megapixel under-screen camera for its foldable iPhone.
Current Android phones using under-display cameras typically rely on lower-resolution sensors due to image degradation.
If the leak is accurate, Apple’s camera would be a significant leap forward. The report claims the sensor will use six plastic lens elements, improving light transmission and image clarity.
This could address one of the biggest weaknesses of under-display camera technology to date.
According to the leaked roadmap, Apple’s plan unfolds in three stages. Under-screen Face ID arrives first with the iPhone 18 Pro, followed by an under-screen selfie camera in the foldable iPhone.
Both technologies are then expected to converge in the 2027 iPhone.
That device, marking 20 years since the original iPhone, is rumoured to feature a completely bezel-less display.
The 2027 iPhone is said to curve around all four edges, creating the look of a single slab of glass.
This design closely resembles the vision long associated with former Apple design chief Jony Ive.
Ten years after the iPhone X reshaped smartphone design, Apple may be preparing for its next major visual leap.
