Apple has long aimed to create an iPhone that is nothing but a screen. No notch, no cutouts, and no visible sensors. A new leak suggests that this vision could start taking shape in 2026, and it may also bring back a feature many users still miss, Touch ID.
According to well known Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station, Apple is planning to introduce its next major display innovation through a new product category, its first foldable iPhone. This model is expected to arrive next year and will reportedly serve as a testing platform for under screen camera technology. The same technology may later appear on a special all screen iPhone planned for 2027, which will mark 20 years of the iPhone.
What makes the foldable model stand out is Apples reported choice to skip Face ID and use Touch ID built into the side button. The leak suggests this is due to space limitations inside a foldable design. A side mounted fingerprint sensor would free up internal space and allow for a cleaner display with no visible interruptions.
If true, this foldable iPhone could become the first Apple phone to offer a truly full screen experience. There would be no Dynamic Island, no notch, and no visible camera cutout on the inner display.
Apple is said to be confident because of two major advances. The first is under screen Face ID. Reports claim Apple has developed a micro transparent glass layer that allows infrared light to pass through the display. This is essential for Face ID to work properly. This system could appear on future Pro models, although Apple may initially keep a smaller Dynamic Island instead of removing it completely.
The second development is a 24 megapixel under screen front camera, which is expected to debut on the foldable iPhone. This would be a big improvement over existing under display cameras, which usually suffer from poor image quality. The leak mentions a six element plastic lens setup that could help improve clarity.
The long term plan appears to be clear. Under screen Face ID may come first, followed by the foldable iPhone with Touch ID. Then in 2027, both technologies could merge into a special anniversary model with a curved display and almost no bezels, creating a seamless glass like design.
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