Apple's newly released foldable iPhone is missing a common software capability found across nearly the entire modern smartphone lineup. Forum investigations confirmed earlier this week that the device does not support FaceTime's Eye Contact feature. While standard handsets from recent years include the capability out of the box, buyers of the premium foldable device are left without it.
For users unfamiliar with the function, Eye Contact relies on on-device processing to digitally adjust a user's gaze during video calls. The algorithm makes it appear as though participants are looking directly into the camera lens rather than at the display screen. This software trick has been standard across iOS devices running iOS 14 and newer, appearing on everything from baseline models to compact editions.
Cupertino has not yet issued an explanation for the omission or provided a timeline for a potential software patch. Industry analysts point to the unique hardware layout of the foldable device as the primary culprit. Both the inner and outer cameras sit off-center, with one positioned in a far corner, meaning the standard machine learning model would likely require a significant rewrite to accommodate the new lens geometry.
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