There’s a new twist to the all-screen iPhone 2027 rumor: Apple may be planning a gradual rollout rather than flipping the switch all at once. Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station says Apple could debut under-screen camera technology in its first foldable iPhone and then bring what works into a radically redesigned iPhone 2027.
The strategy described is essentially a public process. With an under-screen selfie camera, the lens is located behind the display with no visible opening, but any degradation in image quality would be quickly noticeable. A foldable model gives Apple a chance to gauge reaction before bringing that look to the mainstream iPhone.
First, place Face ID under the display
MacRumors’ report suggests that Apple may tuck Face ID’s TrueDepth system under the display before hiding the selfie camera. The reason for this is that Face ID sensors can be more tolerant of display glitches than a front camera, where even small deteriorations can be easily detected.
One specific claim is a “spliced microtransparent glass” window built into the display that is supposed to let Face ID’s infrared sensors through. If that happens first, the short-term implications for buyers could be simpler: a smaller cutout at the top on the Pro models before Apple tries to introduce a full front with no cutouts.
Why the foldable comes first
The foldable angle is where the rumor gets bold. According to MacRumors, Apple is also rumored to be working on a 24-megapixel under-screen camera for the iPhone Fold’s interior display, as well as a six-element plastic lens, a step up from the lower-resolution under-screen cameras seen on some Android phones.
There’s another compromise in the same roadmap: the foldable device is supposed to use Touch ID with side buttons instead of Face ID due to internal space limitations. In other words, “all-screen” is not just a design requirement, but a packaging issue.
Now check out the best foldables for broader context.
What to watch before 2027
Digital Chat Station also claims that Samsung is testing wide-angle folding screens and variable bezels in preparation for the 2026 iPhone cycle, a reminder that Apple’s moves are resonating across the industry. But the crucial question is still practical: Can an under-screen selfie camera look like a regular iPhone camera in real light, not just in controlled demos?
If you need to upgrade before this becomes a reality, buy for what’s free shipping and reliable, not a 2027 promise.
