Apple is reportedly accelerating its quest for the perfect all-screen iPhone, with credible leaks indicating that both Face ID and the front-facing camera will be hidden beneath the display in a 2027 model. This design overhaul, potentially timed for the iPhone's 20th anniversary, could finally eradicate the notch and punch-hole cutouts that have defined modern smartphones, delivering on Jony Ive's long-held vision of a seamless "single slab of glass."

The Road to an Uninterrupted Display

For years, Apple has been methodically working toward eliminating visual intrusions on the iPhone display. Patents reveal ongoing efforts to embed Face ID components—specifically the dot projector and infrared camera—under the screen. Recent reports, including one from leaker Digital Chat Station cited by 9to5Mac, suggest this will debut in the iPhone 18 Pro next year. That model is expected to replace the Dynamic Island with a simple punch-hole camera, setting the stage for a more radical 2027 leap.

The Camera Conundrum

While in-display Face ID is now feasible due to advances in sensor transparency and display materials, embedding the front-facing camera poses a steeper challenge. As prototypes from Android manufacturers have demonstrated, light passing through multiple display layers often results in photos with washed-out contrast and reduced detail—a non-starter for Apple, which prioritizes camera quality. However, Apple's rumored 2027 timeline implies breakthroughs in computational photography and display engineering, such as optimized pixel densities or AI-enhanced image processing, to mitigate these issues.

An artist's render envisions the 2027 iPhone's all-screen design, free from cutouts.

Why 2027 Matters: Anniversary and Ambition

The 2027 target aligns with the iPhone's 20th anniversary, offering symbolic weight for what could be a landmark redesign. Apple has historically used such milestones for bold statements, like the iPhone X's edge-to-edge display in 2017. Still, as 9to5Mac notes, Apple's commitment to quality often trumps arbitrary deadlines. If successful, this "invisible" tech could redefine user interactions—enabling cleaner AR experiences, more immersive content, and new developer opportunities for apps leveraging the unobstructed screen.

Ultimately, this rumor underscores Apple's relentless push toward minimalism and function. For engineers and designers, it highlights the intricate dance between hardware innovation and user experience—where every micron of progress demands solving physics-defying problems. As the industry watches, the 2027 iPhone could set a new standard: a device where the technology fades into the background, letting the display take center stage.