Black Dots and Squares on Screen (Keyboard Area) and Camera Photos

I'm experiencing an issue with my iPhone where black dots and squares are appearing on the screen, particularly noticeable around the on-screen keyboard and other areas, and also showing up as artifacts in photos taken with the rear camera (e.g., black squares on bright backgrounds like the sky). The problem seems to be spreading and persists across apps and modes. I've tried basic troubleshooting (restarts, lens cleaning), but it continues. This might be a display or hardware issue, possibly dead/stuck pixels or sensor damage. Seeking advice—could this be a known defect? Any fixes short of a full repair? Please share experiences or suggestions. (Model: iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS: 18.6.2)

[Edited by Moderator]