Apple working on iPhone with under-display camera, may launch after 2026: report

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • Apple is likely working on a new iPhone model with under-display camera tech.
  • The under-display camera tech will likely replace the Dynamic Island.
  • iPhone models with under-display cameras may not debut until after 2026.

Apple has unveiled its iPhone 15 series in India and globally. However, there are several leaks and speculations about the forthcoming iPhones that are already making the rounds of the internet. As per a new report, the tech giant might launch a new iPhone model with an under-display camera technology after 2026, replacing the Dynamic Island.

It is worth mentioning that Dynamic Island was initially introduced on the iPhone 14 Pro models and later extended to all iPhone 15 variants. This feature entails a pill-shaped area positioned atop the display, housing the Face ID camera on iPhones. The area is not solely dedicated to Face ID functions but can also be utilised to display content.

 iPhone under-display camera details

  • As per a reportby The Elec, LG Group’s electronic component manufacturing firm, LG Innotek, is reportedly in the advanced development of an under-panel camera (UPC) system.
  • The UPC system aims to address a significant challenge faced by the technology -insufficient light transmission – compared to existing selfie cameras.
  • Under-display cameras typically allow less light to pass through the display area, resulting in the camera lens and sensor receiving limited information and producing lower-quality images.
  • LG Innotek’s solution involves the use of ‘freeform optic’ lens technology, which is expected to overcome the challenges associated with under-display cameras.
  • The company has filed patents related to this freeform optic technology since 2021, covering aspects such as the optical system, camera module, and mobile terminal.
  • The report highlights that iPhone models incorporating under-display camera technology may not be officially introduced until after 2026.

It is worth mentioning that Apple won’t be the pioneer in equipping its phones with an under-display camera. Chinese smartphones such as the ZTE Axon 30 5G and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4, both released in 2021, along with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 5, already feature low-resolution selfie cameras positioned beneath the display.

  • The government of India has been in talks with manufacturers about introducing the universal charging port by June 2025 in the country.
  • Apple warns its local production targets will take a hit if the government of India follows the European Union and needs existing iPhones to have universal charging ports.
  • Apple sought officials to exempt existing iPhone models from the rules or an extension from implementing the rule.

The iPhone 15 series finally embraced the USB Type-C port and we all have the European Union for making this mandatory across the nation. Now, the same might happen in India but Apple warns its local production targets will take a hit if the government of India follows the European Union and needs existing iPhones to have universal charging ports. This is as per a report from Reuters citing a government document, which shows that Apple lobbies for an exemption or delay in the change.

 

Apple’s India production might take a hit 

  • According to the Reuters report, India wants to implement the European Union rule which will require smartphones to have a universal USB-C charging port.
  • To this extent, the government has been in talks with manufacturers about introducing the requirement by June 2025 in the country.
  • This is six months after the deadline in the EU.
  • Apparently, all manufacturers, including Samsung have agreed to India’s plan but Apple is trying to push back.
  • Apple traditionally offered lightning connector port for iPhones but the EU mandate changed that this year.
  • EU estimates that a single charger solution would save about $271 million for consumers, and so India wants to adopt this move and reduce e-waste and help users.
  • According to Reuters, in a closed-door meeting on November 28th, chaired by the IT ministry, Apple asked the officials to exempt existing iPhone models from the rules. The company says that this will hit the production targets set under India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.
  • For those unaware, PLI is a scheme from the government of India which offers electronic manufacturers in Ind

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