Apple Allegedly Begins Development of Under-Screen Camera for Future All-Screen iPhone, Expected Release After 2026

Under-display camera technology is still relatively rare in smartphones, but Apple is reportedly working on incorporating this feature into its iPhones. The goal is to eventually create a completely bezel-less iPhone with an all-screen display. Currently, Apple’s latest iPhone models use a Dynamic Island design instead of the traditional notch display. The upcoming SE model is also expected to feature the same pill-shaped cutout.

According to a new report, Apple is aiming to eliminate the Dynamic Island design in favor of under-display camera technology for future iPhones. The company’s Korean supplier, LG Innotek, has reportedly begun advanced development of an under-panel camera (UPC) system. One of the main challenges with under-display cameras is the loss of light transmission, resulting in lower-quality images compared to traditional selfie cameras. To address this issue, LG Innotek is working on a special lens system called “freeform optic.”

The supplier’s solution involves controlling the thickness of the peripheral lens, reducing distortion, and increasing the light-intensity ratio around the optical module. However, it is expected to be a while before under-display camera technology is implemented in iPhones. Apple is projected to adopt under-panel Face ID technology in the iPhone 17, which is slated for release in 2025. The first iPhone with UPC and an all-screen display may arrive in 2027 with the iPhone 19.