After years of rumors, we might actually see an under-display camera in the Apple iPhone 18

Apple is reportedly testing under‑display selfie and Face ID camera technology for the iPhone 18 (targeted for 2026), which could shrink or eliminate the notch and advance an all‑screen design, according to tipster Smart Pikachu and other sources cited by TechRadar. The feature would follow earlier, lower‑quality attempts such as Samsung’s 2021 Galaxy Z Fold 3 (subsequently dropped), and if implemented at scale it would shift supplier demand toward advanced OLED displays, specialized camera modules and integration partners — though the capability remains unconfirmed and technically challenging. Reports also suggest Apple may stagger launches next year, with Pro models in September and the standard iPhone 18 in March 2026, a cadence that would affect supply‑chain timing if the new hardware is adopted.

Analysis

TechRadar reports Apple is testing under-display selfie and Face ID camera technology for the iPhone 18, cited to tipster Smart Pikachu via Wccftech, which could shrink or eliminate the display notch and advance an all-screen design targeted for 2026. Multiple sources referenced in the article support the testing claim and also suggest Apple may shift its 2026 cadence with Pro models launching in September and the standard iPhone 18 arriving in March 2026, a schedule that would stagger supply-chain timing and revenue recognition.

The story highlights that under-display cameras are technically challenging: Samsung first shipped the feature on the 2021 Galaxy Z Fold 3 but abandoned it after poor image quality, and all Samsung Galaxy handsets launched in 2025 reverted to conventional selfie cameras including the Z Fold 7. Signal outputs show a mildly positive, speculative market tone (sentiment_score 0.25, market_impact_score 0.18) and slightly favorable per-ticker sentiment for AAPL (0.3), reflecting limited near-term market impact absent confirmation.

If implemented at scale, the feature would redirect demand toward advanced OLED panels, specialized camera modules and integration partners, creating supplier winners and losers; however, the article frames this as a testing-stage development with execution risk, so material supply-chain or revenue effects depend on engineering validation and production approval.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Monitor supplier order flows, bookings and inventory at advanced OLED and camera-module vendors for early evidence of a production ramp tied to under-display adoption
• Avoid making material portfolio changes on the rumor alone — wait for Apple production validation, regulatory filings, or supplier confirmations given Samsung's prior quality-driven rollback and the article's testing-status
• If multiple independent confirmations appear, consider modestly increasing AAPL exposure ahead of a staged rollout (Pro in Sep, standard in Mar 2026) while sizing positions to execution and quality risk
• Use event-driven hedges or option strategies to protect gains against delays or quality setbacks and watch Apple commentary and component-booking cadence as primary catalysts