iPhone Fold rumored to get both under-screen and hole-punch cameras

AppleInsider

The iPhone Fold is rumored to have two different types of camera tech for its folding and external displays, as well as have a Touch ID implementation under the screen for biometric authentication.

iPhone Fold may not have the Dynamic Island covering a hole-punch camera after all - Image Credit: AppleInsider

The iPhone Fold is an engineering challenge for Apple, and it wants to present its large folding display as perfectly as possible to users. As part of its attempts to do so, it will try to avoid adding distracting elements to the screen, by taking one bit out of view.

According to Thursday's Weibo post by leaker "Digital Chat Station," the large internal display of the iPhone Fold will use "under-screen camera technology." The smaller external-facing display will use a more conventional hole-punch camera.

The decision to use an under-screen camera means there won't be a visible gap in the large foldable panel for the camera to fit. However, incorporating one into the design is difficult, due to needing to work through the lit display.

This is not the first time the leaker has mentioned the use of an under-display camera. In April, it posted that there would be an under-screen camera for the internal display, and a hole-punch version externally.

They have also discussed the use of an under-display camera in a folding iPad in March.

Touch ID, not Face ID

The leaker adds that the smartphone will use Touch ID on a side button for security, rather than using Face ID. This is probably due to the space constraints of making a foldable smartphone, with it also simplifying the design for manufacturing purposes.

While this seems like a step back for Apple security-wise, it's possibly the most viable alternative solution if adding Face ID is too much of a challenge. It remains not clear why Apple would choose to do the behind-screen Touch ID versus one embedded into the power button, like on the iPad.

This is also something that has been raised previously by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In March, he forecast that space constraints would make adding Face ID impossible and that Touch ID would be added to the side.



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pixeltini

Does anybody else think the folding phone is a solution in search of a problem? I thought Apple's design mantra was If thin is good, thinner is better. No?

Between my iPad, Studio Display, and Apple Watch, I think I'm pretty much covered, screen-size-wise.

sherwinzadeh

pixeltini said:

Does anybody else think the folding phone is a solution in search of a problem? I thought Apple's design mantra was If thin is good, thinner is better. No?

Between my iPad, Studio Display, and Apple Watch, I think I'm pretty much covered, screen-size-wise.

I think the attraction is having one device that's both an iPhone and an iPad. That's very appealing to me. As much as I love my iPad, it is sorta the odd device. I still need my Mac for work. I must have my iPhone as a phone and for portability. I can't always take my iPad with me because it's not pocketable. If I'm going to carry a bag, I can just as easily take a MacBook as I can an iPad. So yea a folding iPhone does solve a lot for me. It's not going to be the same as a larger screen iPad, but for many people it'll probably bee good enough.

I just hope they don't pull an iPhone mini on us and give us something we want but make it underpowered. At it's price point, I don't want any compromises, especially in the camera, compared to a Pro Max.

edited May 15

sitime

sherwinzadeh said:

I just hope they don't pull an iPhone mini on us and give us something we want but make it underpowered. At it's price point, I don't want any compromises, especially in the camera, compared to a Pro Max.

The only thing underpowered about the iPhone 12/13 Mini was the battery (because physics — smaller phone, smaller battery). Other than the actual size of the phones, the battery and the pixel density (technically higher on the Mini because of the smaller display), the iPhone 12/13 Mini were identical to their 12/13 non-Mini counterparts. Same A-Series SOC (with the same amount of cores), same amount of RAM, same cameras, same capacity options, same contrast ratio, same brightness, etc. There were no performance differences between the Mini and the non-Mini.

edited May 15

m68000

pixeltini said:

Does anybody else think the folding phone is a solution in search of a problem? I thought Apple's design mantra was If thin is good, thinner is better. No?

Between my iPad, Studio Display, and Apple Watch, I think I'm pretty much covered, screen-size-wise.

Yep…. I saw another Samsung recently from someone at my office.  Looked very thick folded up.  Had three screens and I just don’t share excitement or interest for this form factor.  Sorry,  I’m not getting it - three screens should be better than one right ?  LOL.. I don’t think so…. I know,  you can say the creased screen is just one jumbo screen.  So,  screen on back of jumbo screen makes two screens.  But,  I found their phone annoying.  I would not spend a nickel on that garbage.

m68000

SiTime said:

sherwinzadeh said:

I just hope they don't pull an iPhone mini on us and give us something we want but make it underpowered. At it's price point, I don't want any compromises, especially in the camera, compared to a Pro Max.

The only thing underpowered about the iPhone 12/13 Mini was the battery (because physics — smaller phone, smaller battery). Other than the actual size of the phones, the battery and the pixel density (technically higher on the Mini because of the smaller display), the iPhone 12/13 Mini were identical to their 12/13 non-Mini counterparts. Same A-Series SOC (with the same amount of cores), same amount of RAM, same cameras, same capacity options, same contrast ratio, same brightness, etc. There were no performance differences between the Mini and the non-Mini.

Maybe,  but the mini phones were not great to type on compared to the larger phones.  I had one and don’t miss it at all because of that one reason.  The mini’s greatest feature was the light weight.   That’s why I just don’t get why anybody would want a heavy folding phone.

danox

The Apple folding iPhone will appeal to a small audience of people who have the money to spend between $1500-$2500 for a smartphone and the pricing (set to make a profit,) will bring out the usual howls about a Apple device costing too much, along with the usual Apple is doomed because of its introduction.

The introduction will also generate rage from those who can’t afford it but want it along with those that say they won’t buy it both of which have become vocal subsets these days, another aspect with the introduction you will actually start to see real commentary (not the softball type given Samsung so far) going forward on folding phones, in short because Apple entered (validated) the market. All the YouTubers will be front and center with Jerry-Rigged and Linus at the forefront offering words of glee…. Let the Circus begin.   

Note: The Apple folding phone probably will be the best in class upon its introduction software/hardware wise and that won’t matter either.

edited May 16

mattinoz

danox said:

The Apple folding iPhone will appeal to a small audience of people who have the money to spend between $1500-$2500 for a smartphone and the pricing (set to make a profit,) will bring out the usual howls about a Apple device costing too much, along with the usual Apple is doomed because of its introduction.

The introduction will also generate rage from those who can’t afford it but want it along with those that say they won’t buy it both of which have become vocal subsets these days, another aspect with the introduction you will actually start to see real commentary (not the softball type given Samsung so far) going forward on folding phones, in short because Apple entered (validated) the market. All the YouTubers will be front and center with Jerry-Rigged and Linus at the forefront offering words of glee…. Let the Circus begin.   

Note: The Apple folding phone probably will be the best in class upon its introduction software/hardware wise and that won’t matter either.

I think it will be the opposite. Folding phones appeal to a loud but small audience so it will get graded on a curve because it appeals to that audience in the same way the Vision Pro doesn’t appeal to them or suit their money making endeavours. One gets graded down by influencers and wordsmiths the other ripe for content with their face showing will get graded up. 

kaseykeiser

I’m interested to see just how “clever” Apple and developers get with the UI and UX if they decide to make it a “3-screen” phone. 

alex888888

When you say 3 screens, what do you mean?

both the samsung flip and fold only have two screens. One on the outside when folded, and one on the inside when unfolded. 

Where is the third screen?

M68000 said:

pixeltini said:

Does anybody else think the folding phone is a solution in search of a problem? I thought Apple's design mantra was If thin is good, thinner is better. No?

Between my iPad, Studio Display, and Apple Watch, I think I'm pretty much covered, screen-size-wise.

Yep…. I saw another Samsung recently from someone at my office.  Looked very thick folded up.  Had three screens and I just don’t share excitement or interest for this form factor.  Sorry,  I’m not getting it - three screens should be better than one right ?  LOL.. I don’t think so…. I know,  you can say the creased screen is just one jumbo screen.  So,  screen on back of jumbo screen makes two screens.  But,  I found their phone annoying.  I would not spend a nickel on that garbage.

dutchlord

Yes I like a fold phone like the oppo find N5. But should have no compromisses on lens quality.