In a move that’s sure to delight selfie enthusiasts and content creators alike, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 lineup is poised to deliver a significant upgrade to its front-facing cameras. According to a recent JP Morgan equity research note to clients, reported on Friday by MacRumors‘ Tim Hardwick, every flagship model in the iPhone 18 series will feature a 12-megapixel jump to 24-megapixel resolution—up from the 18-megapixel sensors expected on the iPhone 17 devices. This enhancement promises sharper, more detailed selfies and enhanced portrait mode performance, setting a new standard for mobile photography.
The iPhone 18 family includes the standard iPhone 18, iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, the second-generation iPhone Air, and Apple’s highly anticipated first foldable iPhone. Each of these devices will benefit from the upgraded 24MP front camera, enabling users to capture high-fidelity images with greater clarity, even in challenging lighting conditions. For context, the iPhone 17’s front camera—dubbed the “Center Stage” sensor—introduced an innovative square design that widens the field of view, allowing seamless portrait or landscape shots while holding the phone in portrait orientation. Building on this, the iPhone 18’s 24MP iteration could further refine Apple’s computational photography prowess, delivering portraits with improved edge detection and skin tone accuracy.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this report is the integration of a groundbreaking 24MP under-screen camera in the foldable iPhone. This industry-first technology embeds the sensor directly into the device’s inner display, eliminating the need for a visible notch or punch-hole cutout. Such a design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the foldable form factor but also maintains the immersive viewing experience users expect from Apple’s premium devices. As foldables continue to gain traction in the smartphone market, this innovation could position Apple as a frontrunner in seamless, bezel-free displays.
However, not all models in Apple’s ecosystem will receive this luxury. The budget-oriented second-generation iPhone 17e and the third-generation iPhone 18e are slated to stick with the more modest 12-megapixel front camera, keeping costs down for entry-level buyers while reserving the advanced features for the higher-end variants.
Adding another layer of intrigue to Apple’s strategy, the JP Morgan report hints at a major shift in the company’s release cadence. Starting in 2026, Apple plans to bifurcate its iPhone launches between fall and spring seasons. The premium lineup—including the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, second-generation iPhone Air, and the foldable iPhone—will hit shelves in the latter half of 2026. In a departure from tradition, the base iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e won’t arrive until spring 2027. This staggered approach could allow Apple to respond more agilely to market trends, iterate faster on hardware, and potentially boost year-round revenue streams.
While rumors of a 24MP selfie camera for the iPhone 17 circulated widely earlier this year, it ultimately didn’t materialize—leaving fans eager for the next big leap. If the JP Morgan insights hold true, the iPhone 18 could finally deliver on that promise, blending cutting-edge sensor tech with Apple’s signature software magic. As we edge closer to 2026, all eyes will be on Cupertino for more details on how these cameras will integrate with upcoming iOS features, such as enhanced AR capabilities or AI-driven editing tools.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple is seeing which features are selling devices and the iPhone 17’s Center Stage front-facing camera must be working!
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