While Apple bought the Dynamic Island to even the non-professional iPhones with the iPhone 15 series, it is now reported that Apple is moving towards its goal of removing the Dynamic Island altogether in favor of an Under Display in the near future Camera on iPhones. A recent report states that Apple’s Korean suppliers have finally started developing under-display cameras (UDC) for the iPhones, paving the way for the first iPhone with a truly “all-screen” look.
According to the source on The Electric, LG Innotek It is said that he has started preliminary development of the UPC (Under-Panel Camera), which will eliminate the need for a hole in the screen to house the camera module.
How does Under Display Camera work on iPhones?
To compensate for the loss of light, which would be a problem with all Under Panel Camera systems currently available, LG Innotek is reportedly working on a special lens system called a “free form optics” multi-lens system. A freeform lens system allows the thickness of the peripheral lens to be controlled, reducing distortion and increasing the light intensity ratio around the optical module to improve peripheral image quality.
It is also reported that Apple received samples of under-display cameras for the iPhone from unnamed companies, but the tech giant found their quality to be sub-par. So, to bring the quality closer to Apple standards, LG screena subsidiary of LG Innotek, aims to increase the light transmission of the UPC from 20% in 2023 to 40% after 2024. To this end, the display manufacturing company plans to use a transparent PI substrate to replace the existing polyimide (PI) substrate
While this may sound like good news to many iPhone users, the truth is that we will have to wait until the iPhone 18 series to experience this new camera system. Apple is reportedly expected to adopt under-panel Face ID technology in the 2025 iPhone 17 Pro, which will feature a circular cutout for the front camera.
In 2027, Apple will then launch an all-screen iPhone with UPCs present in iPhone 19 Pro models.
Beebom’s Take
Samsung has been using a foldable camera module under the display since 2021. As we know, Apple has always been the tech company that perfects a technology rather than launching it first. The same can be seen with camera modules under the display. Apple has reduced the size of the bezels in the iPhone 15 series and delivered Dynamic Island on all models. It can be seen as an emergency solution towards the future, where an iPhone has a full screen. An all-screen design allows Apple to fit more icons on the screen, something many users would like to have on their iPhones.
