Exciting design changes are on the horizon for future iPhone models, with a significant transformation anticipated for the 2027 lineup—already being dubbed the 20th anniversary edition. Apple is reportedly working on placing all components, including the front-facing camera, beneath the OLED display to achieve a flawless full-screen design. While this promises a sleek appearance, it’s a challenging task, and success on a large scale is not guaranteed.
Looking ahead to 2026, Apple plans to inch closer to this vision with a punch-hole camera design for a more immersive display. This transition will begin with the iPhone 17 series, which could boast a new large matrix lens configuration, although it’s unclear if this applies to every model variant.
In 2025, changes are expected to be more subtle. However, by the time the iPhone 18 lineup debuts, components like the dot projector and IR blaster for Face ID will be moved beneath the OLED screen, leaving only the front-facing camera visible through a punch-hole cutout, similar to many current Android devices. There are questions about whether this shift might affect Face ID’s accuracy, and Apple is known for being meticulous, so any design not meeting their standards is likely to be rejected.
By 2027, the vision is for both the front camera and Face ID components to be entirely hidden beneath the display, offering a perfect ‘all-screen’ experience. While some smartphone manufacturers have attempted under-screen cameras, they’ve often struggled with image quality. How Apple plans to overcome these challenges remains to be seen, but the company has a history of delaying features until the technology is perfected.
Though these rumors are intriguing, they should be taken with caution. The development process is complex, and many changes could arise, potentially causing Apple to rethink or abandon these ambitious plans.
