It is said that Apple may offer a true full-screen iPhone in the future. According to rumors, this change may occur in 2027, with both Face ID and the front camera hidden under the screen.
A report by Korean website The Elec states that LG Innotek has started development of this under-panel camera and that implementation will happen “after 2026.” According to the news source, this technology makes the camera invisible when it is not working, making the screen appear more complete.
To avoid issues with low light being absorbed by the front camera, LG is developing a proprietary technology called Freeform Optic to overcome the limitations faced by current under-panel cameras. Thanks to this technology, the module aims to make the transition seamless by using multiple lenses, including a “free curve” shape, on one or more surfaces.
Still, the under-panel camera will take some more time to develop, and a true full-screen iPhone isn’t expected to appear until 2026. Interestingly, Apple also received under-panel camera samples from other companies, but evaluated their performance as “inadequate”.
An example of under-panel camera technology used by Samsung in the Galaxy Z Fold series can be seen, but the features of these cameras are very low. That’s why the Korean company emphasizes the advantages of the main camera, which it almost always recommends using.
Additionally, before Apple can deliver a true full-screen iPhone, it will first need to hide the Face ID technology under the screen. This transition is expected to occur with the iPhone 17 in 2025. Considering this, Apple may wait another year to change the design of its entire lineup, keeping the Dynamic Island design from the iPhone 14 Pro to the iPhone 16.
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