The camera upgrade cycle is a relentless engine of the smartphone industry, and all eyes are consistently on Apple’s next move. In the ever-churning rumor mill, new analysis from a top financial firm is painting a fascinating picture of Apple’s camera roadmap, stretching from the upcoming iPhone 18 to its first-ever foldable device.
The narrative revolves around a single, key specification: the resolution of the front-facing camera.
The iPhone 17’s Surprise and the iPhone 18’s Promise
In the lead-up to the iPhone 17's anticipated September launch, the prevailing wisdom among analysts was clear: the entire generation would receive a significant boost to a 24-megapixel front camera. However, as the details solidified, we now know the device features a different, albeit advanced, nearly square center-stage camera with an 18 MP sensor.
But the story doesn't end there. Analysts at JP Morgan are sticking to their guns for the following year. In a detailed table shared by leak aggregator Max Weinbach on X, the firm outlines a clear vision for the iPhone 18 family.
According to their research, all standard iPhone 18 models, with the notable exception of a potential budget "iPhone 18e," will indeed make the jump to a 24 MP selfie camera. This upgrade would mark a significant step forward in clarity and detail for FaceTime calls, selfies, and portrait mode shots on Apple's most popular devices.
This prediction, however, raises a critical question. Would Apple execute another front-facing sensor upgrade so soon after the comprehensive changes in the iPhone 17? It’s a bold claim, but JP Morgan’s analysis gets even more intriguing as it looks further into the future.
The Holy Grail: An Under-Display Camera for the "iPhone Fold"
The most electrifying detail from the report concerns Apple's long-rumored entry into the foldable market. JP Morgan suggests that the company's first foldable device, potentially named the "iPhone Fold" and launching in September 2026, will feature a revolutionary 24 MP under-display camera (UDC).
This technology, which hides the front-facing camera beneath the screen to create a truly uninterrupted display, is considered the holy grail of smartphone design. However, this claim directly conflicts with other experts in the field.
Just a few weeks ago, renowned display analyst Ross Young stated that Apple’s plans for both Face ID and FaceTime cameras hidden under the display have been postponed. This stark contradiction highlights the uncertainty surrounding one of Apple's most anticipated technological leaps. It remains to be seen which analyst firm has the clearer crystal ball.
Camera Specs for the Foldable and a Glimpse at 2027
The JP Morgan report doesn't stop at the selfie camera for the foldable. It also provides specs for the rear camera system. According to their information, the "iPhone Fold" will be equipped with a 48 MP dual-camera array, consisting of an ultra-wide-angle and a main camera.
Interestingly, this setup would place it slightly below the expected Pro models of its time. Unlike the projected iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the foldable is not expected to offer a variable aperture for the main camera, and the advanced sensor-shift optical image stabilization also appears to be absent from the current plans.
Looking even further ahead to 2027 and the potential "iPhone 19" (or "iPhone 20") generation, JP Morgan has provided initial insights. Contrary to a separate rumor that surfaced days ago, the report states that the "iPhone 19 Air" (or "iPhone Air 2") will persist with a single rear camera system.
The upgrade, instead, will come in the form of optics and sensor size. Analysts anticipate a larger aperture for the ultra-wide-angle camera, allowing more light for better low-light performance, and a "significantly larger sensor" behind the main camera—a change that typically delivers the most noticeable improvements in photo quality.
The Bottom Line: A Calculated Camera Evolution
If the analysis from JP Morgan holds, Apple’s camera strategy over the next few years is one of calculated, segmented evolution. We can expect a renewed push on front-facing camera quality for the mainstream iPhone 18, while saving its most radical design innovation—the under-display camera—for a new, premium product category with the foldable iPhone.
Meanwhile, the classic battle of sensor size and lens quality will continue to define the rear cameras across the lineup. As always with Apple rumors, only time will tell which predictions become reality, but one thing is certain: the competition in mobile photography is far from over.
