Apple Leaves iPhone Duo Under-Screen Camera Resolution Unspecified

Apple has introduced a camera hidden beneath the display of its new foldable iPhone, but it has not disclosed how many megapixels it contains. While the company provided detailed specifications for the other lenses on the device, the under-screen sensor remains a mystery. MacRumors notes that this omission is significant because the resolution directly impacts image clarity and detail.

The device features a 7.6-inch inner screen that houses this unique FaceTime camera. It is a first for Apple, yet the lack of specific data on its sensor size leaves users guessing about its true capabilities. The company has listed features like video stabilization and audio recording, but the core metric of resolution is missing from the official specs.

Missing Resolution Details

Apple’s official specifications page lists the camera’s aperture and video capabilities but skips the megapixel count. The outer front camera is a 12-megapixel sensor, and the rear lenses are 48 megapixels. In contrast, the under-display unit is only described by its ability to record video. This gap in information is unusual for a flagship device, where every sensor is typically defined by its pixel count.

The absence of this number suggests the sensor may be smaller than its counterparts. Apple states the camera records video at 1080p resolution at up to 60 frames per second. This is lower than the 4K video capability of the other cameras on the phone. A sensor that cannot shoot 4K video likely has fewer than eight megapixels, which is a significant drop in potential detail compared to the rest of the system.

Light Loss and Trade-Offs

Placing a camera under a screen creates a physical challenge for image quality. Light must pass through the display layers before reaching the sensor, which can reduce brightness and sharpness. To compensate, Apple equipped this camera with an f/1.8 aperture, which is wider than the f/2.2 aperture of the outer front camera. A wider aperture allows more light to enter, helping to offset the loss caused by the glass and pixels above it.

However, this adjustment comes with trade-offs. The company has not detailed how this setup affects the final photo or video output. Users may notice differences in color accuracy or noise levels compared to the visible cameras. The true performance of this hidden lens will only become clear after more people have used the device in real-world lighting conditions.

Visible Flaws in the Display

The under-screen design also affects the visual uniformity of the display. The area directly over the camera lacks the anti-reflective coating found on the rest of the screen. This creates a glossy spot that can appear as a smudge or blemish depending on the angle of the light. Apple acknowledges this in its marketing materials with a subtle circular shadow, but the effect can be more noticeable in person.

Samsung faced similar issues with its foldable phones and eventually switched to a conventional punch-hole camera to improve visibility. Apple’s first attempt at this technology shows that the trade-off between a seamless screen and camera visibility is still a challenge. Preorders for the iPhone Duo open on October 16, and the device will be available for purchase starting October 23.