It looks like Apple’s long-rumored foldable iPhone will not only take a bow, but it could also break new ground in camera technology. A fresh equity research report from JPMorgan, seen by MacRumors, claims that Apple’s first foldable will feature the industry’s first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the device’s internal screen. And if that’s true, we could be looking at one of Apple’s boldest hardware experiments yet. For years, whispers about a foldable iPhone have floated through tech rumors, with everyone from Ming-Chi Kuo to Mark Gurman pointing to Apple’s secret work behind closed doors. But this latest report doesn’t just talk about hinges and displays, it points to a serious photographic leap forward that could finally make under-screen cameras actually usable.

Apple iPhone Fold: Under-display camera

Until now, under-display cameras have been a party trick. Sure, many Android phones have tried this, from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line to ZTE’s Axon series, but the results have often been disappointing. Hidden beneath the display layers, these cameras typically struggle with light capture and clarity, resulting in washed-out selfies that look more like blurry watercolors than clear images.

However, Apple seems to be taking a different path. The JPMorgan report claims that the foldable iPhone will have a 24-megapixel sensor with six plastic lens elements, which is a big step up from the 4-megapixel and 8-megapixel sensors seen on competing devices. Such a bump in resolution shows that Apple has solved the long-standing issue of light transmittance, meaning photos could finally look as sharp as those taken with a traditional front-facing camera.

According to the report, “Apple has made a breakthrough in improving light transmittance and image quality compared to previous designs,” possibly making it the first under-screen camera that doesn’t seem like a compromise.

That said, the foldable iPhone may not have every trick in the company’s imaging playbook. The same forecast notes that Apple may abandon LiDAR scanning and optical image stabilization to keep the device thin and manageable. Those are sacrifices that may sting some photography enthusiasts, but they may be a small price to pay to finally see a true all-screen foldable from Cupertino.

Four cameras, two screens and a long wait

Camera lovers can still expect a lot to play for. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the device will come with two 48-megapixel rear lenses, as well as two separate front-facing cameras, one when the phone is folded and the other hidden beneath the internal display. It has four cameras in total, which matches previous reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

Meanwhile, prolific Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station has reinforced the rumor of a 48-megapixel rear lens, adding that Apple is prioritizing consistency in folded and unfolded photography. For example, the external screen is expected to have a punch-hole camera, while the main internal display hides its 24-megapixel sensor completely under glass.

Interestingly, biometric authentication on the device may also change. Instead of Face ID, Apple is reportedly reverting to a Touch ID sensor built into the side button, a move that could make the foldable more compact and efficient at unlocking in different orientations.

Apple iPhone Fold launch

However, when it comes to the timeline, things remain unclear. Gurman has suggested that Apple is targeting a launch in 2026, positioning the device as the company’s next big iPhone. But not everyone is so optimistic, with Japan’s Mizuho Securities believing Apple could debut as early as 2027, citing the ongoing debate about hinge design and durability.

If true, that delay wouldn’t be entirely surprising. Apple’s general approach to new categories is quite cautious, preferring to arrive late and right rather than early and experimental. Given how finicky foldables can be, patience may pay off.

Although the device is shrouded in secrecy, one thing is becoming clear: Apple’s first foldable iPhone could redefine what “front camera” means. The 24-megapixel under-screen sensor may seem like a minor detail, but in typical Apple fashion, it could be the breakthrough that finally makes invisible cameras a mainstream reality.

So, while we may have to wait a little longer to see it in action, one thing’s for sure when Apple finally folds, it’s planning to do it in style.