iPhone Fold rumored to get both under-screen and hole-punch cameras
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.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Between my iPad, Studio Display, and Apple Watch, I think I'm pretty much covered, screen-size-wise.
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 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.