Apple developing iPhone with concealed camera under display, anticipated release post-2026: sources

It is reported that Apple is working on an iPhone with an under-display camera, which may be launched after 2026. This feature, called Dynamic Island, was first introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro models and later extended to all iPhone 15 variants. It involves a pill-shaped area positioned on top of the display, which houses the Face ID camera. This area can also be used to display content, not just for Face ID functions.

LG Innotek, an electronic component manufacturing firm under LG Group, is said to be in advanced development of an under-panel camera (UPC) system. The UPC system aims to address a challenge faced by under-display cameras, which is insufficient light transmission compared to existing selfie cameras. Typically, under-display cameras allow less light to pass through the display area, resulting in lower-quality images. LG Innotek’s solution involves the use of “freeform optic” lens technology, which is expected to overcome these challenges. The company has filed patents related to this technology, covering the optical system, camera module, and mobile terminal since 2021.

However, it is mentioned that iPhone models incorporating under-display camera technology may not be officially introduced until after 2026. It is worth noting that Apple will not be the first to equip its phones with under-display cameras. Chinese smartphones such as the ZTE Axon 30 5G and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4, both released in 2021, as well as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 5, already feature low-resolution selfie cameras positioned beneath the display.