Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Might Feature Under Display Camera

So, have you heard the latest buzz about Apple finally jumping on the foldable phone bandwagon? Yeah, it’s been a long time coming! Word on the street is that Apple might release their very first foldable iPhone next year. And get this – they might be borrowing a page from Samsung’s playbook.

According to the insider known as Digital Chat Station, Apple’s foldable iPhone could feature an under-display camera on the main folding screen, while the outer display would have a punch-hole design for its camera sensor. Pretty neat, right?

If you’re not familiar with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series, they’ve been doing this under-display camera thing since the Z Fold 3. It’s actually become a signature feature they’ve kept all the way through to their latest Z Fold 6.

What’s the big deal with under-display cameras?

Well, as the name suggests, these cameras sit right underneath the screen and are practically invisible to the naked eye. The cool thing is they give you this super immersive experience without any notches or holes breaking up your view.

But – and this is a pretty big but – there’s a trade-off. These hidden cameras typically don’t take photos as good as traditional ones. Why? Because the screen above them blocks some of the light from reaching the sensor. And as any amateur photographer knows, light is pretty darn important for taking decent photos!

Size matters

Digital Chat Station didn’t stop at camera details. They also mentioned that the foldable iPhone will sport a main folding display measuring 7.76 inches, with an external screen coming in at 5.49 inches. For the tech geeks among us, the main screen supposedly has a resolution of 2,713 x 1,920 pixels, while the outer display will feature 2,088 x 1,422 pixels.

Looking at these dimensions, it seems Apple isn’t just copying Samsung’s homework. Instead of going with the tall, narrow design that Samsung’s foldables are known for, Apple appears to be leaning toward a more square-shaped format – kinda like Google’s Pixel Fold or OPPO’s Find N2.

Why should we care about a foldable iPhone?

I mean, foldable phones have been around for a few years now, right? But this is Apple we’re talking about! They might not always be first to market with new tech, but when they do jump in, they tend to refine the experience in ways that make us wonder how we lived without it.

And let’s be honest – the current foldable market is still pretty niche. Samsung dominates, but having Apple join the party could legitimize the form factor for millions of iPhone users who’ve been sitting on the sidelines.

Plus, Apple’s approach to design and user experience could potentially solve some of the common complaints about foldables – things like visible creases, durability concerns, and awkward aspect ratios.

Will it actually happen next year?

Now, I should point out that we’ve been hearing rumors about a foldable iPhone for years. Remember those patents from way back? Yeah, those got us excited too. But this time, the rumors seem more substantial, with specific details about display sizes and camera technology.

That said, Apple is notoriously secretive, and plans can change. They’re not going to release something unless they’re confident it meets their standards. So while next year sounds promising, I wouldn’t be shocked if they pushed it back if they’re not 100% satisfied with the product.

The price question

The elephant in the room is, of course, how much this thing might cost. Current foldables aren’t exactly budget-friendly – Samsung’s latest Z Fold starts north of $1,800. Given Apple’s premium positioning, we can probably expect their foldable to land somewhere in that ballpark, if not higher.

Is that worth it? Well, that depends on how much you value having essentially a phone and tablet in one device. For some people, absolutely. For others, it might be a tougher sell.

What this means for the industry

If – and that’s still an if – Apple does launch a foldable iPhone next year, it could shake up the entire smartphone market. We might see more manufacturers investing in foldable technology, potentially driving down costs and accelerating innovation.

And let’s not forget about apps. With Apple’s massive developer community, we could see a new wave of applications designed specifically to take advantage of the foldable form factor. That’s something that even Samsung, with all its foldable experience, hasn’t fully capitalized on yet.

The under-display camera technology is particularly interesting. If Apple can somehow overcome the image quality limitations that have plagued other manufacturers, it could become a standard feature in future devices – foldable or not.

So while we’re still in rumor territory, this is definitely something worth keeping an eye on. Apple entering the foldable market wouldn’t just be another product launch – it could potentially reshape how we think about smartphones altogether.

FAQ

When is Apple expected to release its foldable iPhone?

Based on current rumors, Apple might release its first foldable iPhone sometime next year. However, as with all Apple rumors, take this timeline with a grain of salt as the company is known for only releasing products when they feel they’re absolutely ready.

How will the cameras on the foldable iPhone work?

According to leaks, the foldable iPhone will feature an under-display camera on the main folding screen, making it nearly invisible, while the outer screen will have a punch-hole camera design. This approach is similar to what Samsung has done with its Galaxy Z Fold series.

What size will the foldable iPhone’s screens be?

Rumors suggest the main folding display will be 7.76 inches with a resolution of 2,713 x 1,920 pixels, while the external screen will measure 5.49 inches with a resolution of 2,088 x 1,422 pixels.

Will Apple’s foldable design be similar to Samsung’s?

Not exactly. Based on the rumored dimensions, Apple seems to be going for a more square-shaped design (similar to Google’s Pixel Fold or OPPO’s Find N2) rather than the taller, narrower design that Samsung uses for its Galaxy Z Fold series.

Are there any downsides to the under-display camera technology?

Yes, the main drawback of under-display cameras is typically reduced image quality compared to traditional cameras. This happens because the screen above the camera blocks some light from reaching the sensor, which is crucial for good photography. It remains to be seen if Apple has found a way to overcome this limitation.