Emir BardakçıRecent updates indicate that Apple is working on the development of under-display front camera technology, set to be launched in 2027. This will be a huge leap towards the realization of a true full-screen iPhone. This upcoming line of iPhones will have a 3D under-display Face ID feature, giving customers a chance to use the advanced facial recognition technology without any visible notches & punch holes on the display. This has been experimented on other smartphones, such as Xiaomi Mi MIX 4, launched in 2021, featuring under-display cameras, part of the HyperOS ecosystem.
A Step Towards a Seamless Display Experience
Industry expert DigitalChatStation shared on Weibo that the first Apple product featuring this tech would be a flat-screen version of the iPhone. The 3D Face ID and camera is a result of a need to incorporate secure biometric authentication while retaining the purity of the display. The display is slated to completely cover the front camera, thereby achieving a “zero-hole” design.
This innovation positions Apple within the same competition initiated by Xiaomi, ZTE, and Samsung years ago. Even though Xiaomi demonstrated remarkable progress in display transparency technology in their Mi MIX 4, it looks like Apple is working on a well-rounded approach consisting of display clarity, camera quality, as well as security performance.
The Foldable iPhone Lays the Groundwork
According to Wccftech the first foldable iPhone from Apple, set to be released in the second half of 2026, will have a 24MP under-display camera. But this variant may not have Face ID, instead featuring Touch ID, which would have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, just like Sony Xperia. This allows for an uninterrupted display panel.
Once the foldable device has set the tone, the “2027 iPhone” is expected to be the first conventional flat model from Apple to integrate “under-display 3D Face ID,” a feature combining both aesthetics and accuracy.
Xiaomi, being a leader in technological innovation, has embraced a trend of early adoption
Prior to the entry of Apple, Xiaomi became one of the first brands to implement under-display camera technology. The Mi MIX 4, launched in 2021, incorporated Xiaomi’s “Camera Under Panel” technology, offering a seamless full-screen display without obstructions. Even though Xiaomi has not launched a direct successor, it has continued to update the model until 2024, culminating in the Android 13 version, HyperOS 1 edition.
The technology has proved Xiaomi’s initial lead in a domain Apple is also exploring. The competition for a seamless, bezel-free smartphone experience is set to enter a new age as both brands continue innovating.
