Apple now plans to introduce its under-display front-facing camera and Face ID sensor no earlier than 2027. According to leaks from user “Digital Chat Station” on Weibo, the tech giant “straight board machine” model will incorporate a true under-screen setup only in that timeframe. The journey to under-display imaging has been long and bumpy. Conventional front cameras require a cut-out or notch to maintain a clear view for optics and allow for secure authentication via Face ID. Under-display cameras have so far delivered lower image quality and compromised sensor performance compared to standard setups.
Earlier projections had suggested that the next-generation iPhones, such as the iPhone 18 Pro, might adopt under-display Face ID and camera tech as early as 2026. Analyst Ross Young of Counterpoint Research backed such timelines for Face ID only, but the latest leak pushes both features further out.
Apple cautious timeline highlights the challenges that remain. The display layer must transmit enough light for the camera while masking the sensor when inactive. Face ID relies on precision structured-light or time-of-flight sensors, and integrating them beneath the screen remains complex. The leak explicitly contrasts Apple ambitions with existing Android implementations, which typically suffer compromises in image clarity and depth-sensor performance.
For users and the mobile ecosystem, this means the familiar notch or hole-punch front camera design will likely persist on iPhones for at least another year or more. While some Android manufacturers already offer under-screen cameras, Apple appears unwilling to compromise on optical and authentication quality in the meantime. In short, the transition to a full-screen front design is delayed but still in motion. The shifting timelines reflect both the ambition and the caution at play: Apple clearly wants the technology to meet its standards, not just check a box.
