Apple’s iPhone might go all-screen as LG Innotek’s under-display camera enters development،
It's no secret that for years Apple has partnered with suppliers in China, India and South Korea to manufacture its line of devices, including the iPhone and iPad. The latest buzz suggests that Apple is set to introduce an iPhone with an all-screen look, fueled by the efforts of its Korean suppliers actively working on under-display cameras (UDC) for smartphones. According to the latest scoop from a Korean media ELEC, LG Innotek takes a deep dive into the advanced development of UPC – a nifty technology without any visible holes for the camera lens. The buzz is that this technological leap is a strategic decision, laying the foundations for the arrival of all-screen Apple iPhones. An all-screen Apple iPhone with UPC technology is expected to hit the scene after 2026.
UPC, or under-panel camera, is a nifty setup where the camera sits under the display and its lens hole remains incognito when not in use. This stealth feature opens the entire screen to use as a display, increasing the level of immersion. You might also hear it as an under-display camera (UDC).
The UPC stands out from your usual front-facing camera module by sending less light to the image sensor. The problem is that when light passes through the display area before reaching the camera lens, there is loss, which can cause a drop in image quality and brightness.
To address this challenge, LG Innotek is working on a “free-form optics” multi-lens system. This system aims to reduce optical aberrations and increase the light intensity ratio around the optical module, thereby improving the peripheral image quality. LG Innotek has been on a patent publishing spree since last December, and now that UPC development is in full swing, we can expect more innovations on the horizon.
LG Display, associated with LG Innotek of the LG group, is also embarking on the development of UPC. His goal ? Pushing light transmission to 20% by 2023 and 40% by 2024, a nod to Apple standards. Meanwhile, Apple reportedly tested a UPC sample from an undisclosed vendor, but was unimpressed with the performance.
Before Apple fully adopts under-display camera technology, it plans to integrate Face ID technology under the panel in its 2025 iPhone 17 Pro. The flagship is expected to be the last high-end model with a circular cutout for the front camera, according to information from renowned analyst Ross Young.
