Morgan Stanley's draft technical specifications indicate that Apple has outlined at least one 24-megapixel under-display selfie camera for the iPhone Fold. Notably, there is no mention of Face ID.

This detail has sparked much debate, as Face ID has been a hallmark of the iPhone for years.

Under-display camera: A leap toward a truly full-screen experience

Morgan Stanley states that the iPhone Fold will feature a 24MP selfie lens hidden beneath the screen. By adopting UDC technology, Apple can eliminate both the notch and Dynamic Island, delivering a seamless edge-to-edge display experience.

In addition to the hidden selfie camera, the iPhone Fold will come with a dual rear camera setup, including a 48MP ultra-wide sensor.

However, the device will reportedly lack a variable aperture, telephoto lens, depth-sensing ToF sensor, and - most notably - Face ID. This may indicate that Apple is either exploring a new form of biometric authentication or focusing on optimizing the foldable display experience.

The iPhone Fold is expected to use a book-style folding mechanism, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. However, Apple is said to prioritize thinness.

When folded, the device is expected to be less than 10mm thick - thinner than most current foldable smartphones.

When opened, the internal display will measure 7.8 inches, while the external screen will be 5.5 inches.

This configuration allows users to interact easily with the smaller external display when the phone is closed, while the larger screen effectively transforms the iPhone Fold into a mini tablet when opened.

Hardware power: Custom modem, A20 chip, and 12GB RAM

The iPhone Fold is expected to feature Apple’s own C2 modem, reducing reliance on Qualcomm.

For processing power, the device will use the A20 chip, anticipated to debut in 2026. Built on a 2nm process, the chip offers approximately 15% better performance and 30% more energy efficiency compared to the 3nm A19 chip.

Other leaked specifications include 12GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, a 5,500mAh battery, and a starting price of around $2,000.

If this price point holds, the iPhone Fold will enter the ultra-premium segment, competing directly with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold Ultra and other high-end foldables from China.

LOFIC sensor on iPhone 20: A breakthrough in mobile photography

In parallel with news about the iPhone Fold, a credible source on Naver blog - user “Yeux1122” - revealed that the iPhone 20, set to debut in 2027, will incorporate LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) camera sensor technology.

Current smartphone CMOS sensors convert light into electrical signals using light-sensitive pixels. However, they often struggle to balance light sensitivity and saturation, resulting in noise under challenging lighting conditions.

LOFIC is a new type of CMOS sensor capable of capturing both bright and dark areas simultaneously, reducing noise even in high-contrast environments, and delivering images with exceptional dynamic range.

If Apple implements LOFIC in the iPhone 20, it could achieve a dynamic range of up to 20 stops - on par with professional cinema cameras - compared to the current 13 stops on today’s iPhones.

This would allow the phone to retain detail in both highlights and shadows within a single frame.

The technology applies to both still photography and video, potentially elevating the iPhone’s video capabilities to near-cinematic levels - aligning with Apple’s ongoing push to position the iPhone as a mobile filmmaking tool.

By launching the iPhone Fold, Apple aims not only to compete with Samsung and Huawei but also to signal that it is embracing the foldable trend - a trend that is increasingly shaping the future of mobile devices.

From eliminating Face ID to introducing under-display selfie cameras, Apple appears poised to take bold steps it once approached cautiously.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 20’s anticipated LOFIC camera sensor could redefine mobile photography and bring Apple closer to professional video production standards.

2026 to 2027 may mark a new era for the iPhone - one in which Apple not only evolves but redefines what users expect from a premium smartphone.

Hai Phong