The Ultimate Showdown: Apple vs. Huawei in the Race for the First In-Display Camera Phone

The smartphone industry is on the cusp of its next major evolution, as tech giants Huawei and Apple race to perfect the elusive in-display camera technology. Both brands currently utilize sophisticated 3D Face Recognition in their flagship devices, but the goal is now to hide these sensors entirely beneath the screen, offering a truly seamless, bezel-free viewing experience. The industry is buzzing with anticipation over which manufacturer will be the first to cross this finish line.

• ✨ Both Huawei and Apple are developing under-screen solutions for 3D Face ID to eliminate display notches.
• ✨ Rumors suggest the Huawei Mate 90 might feature the technology before its competitors.
• ✨ Apple’s 20th Anniversary iPhone is expected to introduce a revolutionary quad-curved, buttonless design.
• ✨ Honor is also mentioned as a potential dark horse in the race for in-display camera innovation.

The Battle for the Invisible Sensor

Both Apple and Huawei have been dominating the headlines for their pursuit of the first commercial in-display camera phone. Initially, rumors suggested that the Chinese tech giant might debut this feature with the Mate 80 series by late 2025. However, more recent leaks indicate a shift in the timeline, suggesting that while Huawei may beat Apple to the punch, it might not happen as early as the Mate 80 launch.

In the current mobile landscape, Apple is reportedly focusing on its 20th Anniversary iPhone, slated for next year. This landmark model is rumored to feature an incredibly thin 1.1mm frame and a quad-curved aesthetic. This design shift is a major catalyst for the iPhone maker to move toward in-display cameras, as it seeks to replace all physical cutouts, notches, and buttons with a single, uniform slab of glass.

Mate 90 vs. The Anniversary iPhone

While the iPhone 20 is a major contender for next year, some reports suggest that Huawei is accelerating its timeline. Even if the technology does not appear in early 2025, industry insiders believe the Mate 90 series will be the chosen platform for Huawei’s under-screen 3D Face Recognition debut. This would potentially place Huawei ahead of Apple in the hardware innovation cycle.

To date, neither company has officially confirmed these rumors. Interestingly, Honor has also appeared in recent leaks, suggesting they might also be testing similar in-display 3D Face ID technology for their future smartphones. For now, the identity of the first brand to successfully mass-produce a high-quality in-display camera phone remains one of the tech world's biggest mysteries.

Will the Huawei Mate 80 feature an under-display camera?

While early rumors pointed toward the Mate 80, current leaks suggest that Huawei might delay the implementation of under-screen 3D Face Recognition until the Mate 90 series to ensure the technology is fully matured.

What makes Apple’s 20th Anniversary iPhone special?

The 20th Anniversary iPhone is rumored to be a total redesign, featuring a quad-curved screen and a 1.1mm ultra-thin bezel, which necessitates the use of in-display sensors to maintain a seamless glass surface.

Is Honor also working on this technology?

Yes, leaks suggest that Honor is exploring in-display 3D Face Recognition for its future "Magic" series flagships, potentially making them a strong competitor against Apple and Huawei.

Why is 3D Face Recognition harder to hide than a standard camera?

3D Face Recognition requires multiple sensors, including an IR camera and a dot projector. Ensuring these complex components can accurately "see" through display pixels without interference is a significant engineering challenge.

🔎 In conclusion, the race to eliminate the notch is reaching a fever pitch. Whether it is Huawei with the Mate 90 or Apple with its anniversary flagship, the arrival of the first truly invisible 3D Face Recognition system will mark a new era for smartphone design. As we move closer to late 2025, all eyes will be on these tech giants to see who can deliver the future of mobile displays first.