How Apple May Be Lining Up an All-Screen iPhone for 2027

[MacRumors]

Apple will debut next-generation under-screen camera technology in its first foldable iPhone expected next year, before adapting the tech for its all-screen 2027 iPhone, according to prolific Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station.

The Weibo-based account claims Apple is adopting this strategy – foldable first, 20th anniversary iPhone second – to gauge consumer reaction to the under-screen camera, where the lens is literally concealed behind the panel with no visible cutouts in the display.

Apple's foldable is also understood to be utilizing side-button integrated Touch ID over Face ID for biometric authentication due to internal space constraints. This means the "iPhone Fold" will have the first all-screen display of any Apple device – a design goal the company is known to have been working on for years, as several patents testify.

Why now? Two factors stand out. First, Apple is believed to have perfected an under-screen version of its TrueDepth camera system – the technology behind Face ID that lives in the Dynamic Island on current iPhones. According to one leaker, Apple is using a special "spliced micro-transparent glass" window built into the display that allows Face ID's infrared sensors to pass through the panel unimpeded. Several rumors suggest this technology will debut in next year's iPhone 18 Pro models, potentially reducing the size of its Dynamic Island.

Under-screen Face ID is likely seen by Apple as a lower-risk first step, since biometric sensors are more tolerant of display interference than front-facing cameras, where even minor image degradation would be immediately noticeable to users.

Second, Apple is said to have developed an industry-first 24-megapixel under-screen camera for the inner screen of its foldable. Under-display camera technology has been used on some Android phones, but they tend to have lower resolution sensors (4 or 8 megapixels, for example) because the image quality suffers due to being behind display layers.

If accurate, the jump to a 24-megapixel camera (with six plastic lens elements, per the report) would be a significant technological advance, potentially resulting in clearer, sharper images with more detail. The rumor suggests Apple has achieved a breakthrough in greatly improving light transmittance and image quality compared to previous designs.

So in Apple's roadmap, the under-screen Face ID arrives with the iPhone 18 Pro, the under-screen selfie camera debuts in the iPhone Fold, and then the two technologies converge in its celebratory 20th anniversary iPhone.

Coming 10 years after the iPhone X, the radically redesigned 2027 iPhone is rumored to feature a completely bezel-less display that curves around all four edges of the device, closely resembling what was former Apple design chief Jony Ive's ultimate dream: a phone made from a single slab of glass.

Article Link: How Apple May Be Lining Up an All-Screen iPhone for 2027

 

[maddogeco]

How would this work with a case?

 

[EugW]

I still find the Dynamic Island very irritating when watching ultra widescreen video.

An all screen design would be great but at this point I’d be ok with a hole punch too. A hole punch would still be irritating, but much less so than the Dynamic Island.

 

[bLackjackj]

I still find the Dynamic Island very irritating when watching ultra widescreen video.

Notch. It’s a notch. It will evaporate eventually, as per the roadmap of 3 years back.

“Dynamic Island” is the fancy shmancy marketing term Apple used for the software overlay so people would throw the rose coloured glasses on and forget about the notch.

 

[bLackjackj]

How would this work with a case?

AppleCare buddy. 😏👍

 

[JoshuaBru]

It’s going to be difficult for me to go back to Touch ID not gonna lie.

 

[EugW]

Notch. It’s a notch. It will evaporate eventually, as per the roadmap of 3 years back.

“Dynamic Island” is the fancy shmancy marketing term Apple used for the software overlay so people would throw the rose coloured glasses on and forget about the notch.

I am specifically referring to Dynamic Island because I find it more irritating than the old notch.

And I’d be happy with Touch ID too, but I know that most people would prefer Face ID.

 

[heller]

reminded me this

 

[t0rqx]

Tell them to fix the coilwhine noise coming out of the speakers and camera plateau when charging and high stress the device iPhone 17 Pro Max.

 

[Rosecroft]

It’s going to be difficult for me to go back to Touch ID not gonna lie.

no way. Face ID, while good is not as secure as touch. Because if your not fully aware, your phone always unlocks, when you wanna just glance at the time. Yes there are settings as i'm sure some will point out or even hold your finger over the camera. but why? Good hardware and software don't need to be toggled or modified they should just work with common sense in mind right out of the box.

 

[Rosecroft]

I am specifically referring to Dynamic Island because I find it more irritating than the old notch.

And I’d be happy with Touch ID too, but I know they most people would prefer Face ID.

There's no reason in this time, that both can't be included. let the users decide what they want to use.

 

[EugW]

Tell them to fix the coilwhine noise coming out of the speakers and camera plateau when charging and high stress the device iPhone 17 Pro Max.

I have never had that problem with my 17 Pro Max and I don’t have it with my 17 Pro either. I only had the Pro Max a week though before I returned it to get the Pro.

In what specific scenario do you encounter this, and how widespread is it?

 

[JosephAW]

Been saying just wrap it in color e-ink so it can be customized with pictures and patterns so everyone’s iPhone would be unique. 📱

 

[GioGiusi]

I can't wait to see the garbage phone Samsung ships based on a complete misunderstanding of this rumor.

 

[sunapple]

How would this work with a case?

As a penalty for ruining the design it will show a fake Notch.

 

[iMac The Knife]

And people think foldables are a stupid idea! 😂

 

[Mr_Ed]

I’m sure this “looks cool” but I question the practicality. The majority of users have enough concerns about damaging their phone that they use cases, and that’s without “all around display.” Even without a case, what practical use is there for the display around the edges of the device that can’t be accomplished with the displays we already have?

 

[applyr]

Do you think Apple will still release the standard Pro and Pro Max models in 2027 alongside a new 20th-anniversary design, similar to how the iPhone X launched alongside the iPhone 8?

 

[ab2c4]

I’m sure this “looks cool” but I question the practicality. The majority of users have enough concerns about damaging their phone that they use cases, and that’s without “all around display.” Even without a case, what practical use is there for the display around the edges of the device that can’t be accomplished with the displays we already have?

Exactly. Samsung tried it for years and there were many issues with it between phantom touches, to displays that broke very easily, to not being able to buy a decent screen protector that would stay on and without bubbles, etc. If the Samsung crowd complained so much about the curved edges that Samsung gave in and stopped so I would expect it to be the same with this phone. I'm thinking Apple has no plans to stay with it long, but do it solely for the sake of doing something different even if it means a step backwards.

No thank you.

 

[geta]

If the rumored iPhone Fold will have ‘side-button integrated Touch ID over Face ID’, then just for that feature alone I’d consider having it.

Or even better, just release a regular-sized iPhone with a side button Touch ID.

 

[W2u7Yw4HaD]

It’s going to be difficult for me to go back to Touch ID not gonna lie.

It's a bad move from a security perspective also.... They should delay the product until they can offer it with FaceID. As of yet, I have not seen a credible method to break this level of security. The videos featured on YouTube so far don't convince me otherwise, etc. Never mind the inconvenience of using your finger again in the cold weather or with gloves on.

Maybe we should go back to leaded gasoline or 2 stroke engines, since there are some definite benefits of those also.

Come on apple, you can do better here......

 

[Fallforward]

Ever wonder whether Apple might have a team dedicated to creating fake rumors to confuse their competitors, like a very stupid yet plausible design?

 

[Eggtastic]

I don't see the all glass happening. My guess is probably even less or no bezels.

 

[JoshuaBru]

no way. Face ID, while good is not as secure as touch. Because if your not fully aware, your phone always unlocks, when you wanna just glance at the time. Yes there are settings as i'm sure some will point out or even hold your finger over the camera. but why? Good hardware and software don't need to be toggled or modified they should just work with common sense in mind right out of the box.

If you live anywhere where it’s cold for 6-7 months out of the year and you’re wearing gloves, FaceID is amazing

 

[DennyRoozeboom]

The iPhone 5 is finally here