Foreign media The first iPhone equipped with an under-display camera is expected to be released after 2026.

The Release of First iPhone with Under-Display Camera from International Media Anticipated to Happen in 2026 or Later

【Mobile China News】Apple has adopted a dynamic island notch design in the past two generations of iPhone Pro models, but Apple’s long-term goal is to transition to a “full-screen” iPhone without a physical display notch. According to the latest report from South Korean news media The Elec, that day is not too close yet, and the first iPhone equipped with an under-display camera (UDC) is expected to be launched after 2026.

Reportedly, LG Innotek has begun developing an “under-panel camera” (UPC) that does not have a visible camera lens hole. It is speculated that this move is to prepare for the realization of Apple’s full-screen iPhone. The iPhone with UPC is expected to be released after 2026.

UPC refers to a camera located below the display screen, with no visible camera lens hole when not using the camera function. If the lens hole is not visible when the camera function is not in use, the entire screen can be used as a display to enhance the immersive experience. UPC is also called an under-display camera (UDC). LG Innotek is developing a special lens called “Freeform Optic” to overcome the limitations of existing UPCs due to insufficient light.

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Although LG Innotek has started UPC development, the application of UPC on Apple iPhone can only be expected after 2026. It is reported that Apple has received UPC samples from relevant companies, but the evaluation of their performance is not ideal.

Apple plans to apply Underpanel Face ID to the front of the iPhone before using UPC. Underpanel Face ID refers to the technology where the necessary Face ID portion for user recognition on the iPhone is normally displayed when not using this function. The technical principle of Under Panel Face ID is the same as that of UPC. If there is Face ID under the display screen, it is Under Panel Face ID, and if there is a camera, it is UPC.

Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), previously stated that Apple is expected to transition to UD Face ID sensors on its Pro series iPhones by 2025, and the first full-screen iPhone equipped with UD camera and Face ID will be released in 2027.

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