LG Innotek Developing Under-Display Camera Technology for Future iPhones

LG Innotek has begun advancing its development of Under Panel Camera (UPC) technology, according to a new report. UPC technology allows the front-facing camera lens to be placed underneath the smartphone's display, creating an uninterrupted all-screen viewing experience.

However, UPC presents technical challenges as less light reaches the camera sensor when embedded below the display layer than traditional front cameras, as seen in Fold 4 or Fold 5. To address this, LG Innotek is developing a proprietary freeform optic lens that uses complex lens surfaces to maximize light transmittance through the display to the camera sensor.

The company has filed numerous patents related to UPC over the past year. In patent applications, LG Innotek acknowledged potential issues like reduced brightness, lower image quality and shadows that can result from light loss through the display. Their freeform lens technology aims to control lens thickness, reduce optical aberrations, and boost peripheral light influx, improving photo quality around edges.

While UPC samples have been provided to Apple, the technology is said to not yet meet Apple's standards for the iPhone. The first iPhones utilizing UPC are expected to debut in 2026 or later as the technology matures. LG Innotek's work signals ongoing progress towards achieving the full-screen designs sought after by smartphone brands.

Display analyst Ross Young expects Apple's Pro iPhone models to transition to an under-display Face ID sensor by 2025, with the first all-screen iPhone featuring a UD camera and Face ID slated for a 2027 launch.