Apple is still on its way to removing everything from the iPhone: an iPhone without ports, without buttons, and without a notch. In the latest leaks about IPhone 18 Pro, it's said to be testing under-display Face ID technology with a front-facing camera with a tiny hole in one side (Android phone?!). In this article, we'll take you on a tour to explore this technology and this controversial design!
As a reminder, Face ID is the 2017D facial recognition system Apple first introduced with the iPhone X in XNUMX. This technology relies on projecting thousands of infrared dots onto the face to create a depth map of the user's face, providing high security for unlocking the phone and confirming payments. However, until now, this technology required a notch or dynamic island to house the sensors and front camera.
Now, according to leaks from reliable sources like Digital Chat Station and a report from The Information, Apple is moving the Face ID sensors under the display on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while retaining a small punch-hole front camera in the upper left corner of the display. This means the display will become more of an "all-screen" design with virtually no visual obstructions.
Why is this shift important?
Moving Face ID under the display will reduce the need for a dynamic island, giving users a full-screen experience. Whether you're watching videos or playing games, the notch-free display will be even more appealing.
This move will put Apple at the forefront of companies striving to achieve a phone design without any visible holes.
Engineering challenges of under-display Face ID
Moving Face ID technology under the display is not an easy task. Apple engineers face complex technical challenges to ensure the technology remains as accurate and reliable as it is now. Here are the most prominent of these challenges:
OLED displays block or scatter the infrared light that Face ID relies on. This means that the under-display sensors may have difficulty accurately reading the dots projected onto the user's face.
The Face ID system relies on components such as the dot projector, infrared camera, and flood illuminator. Any change in the location of these components requires redesigning the hardware and software algorithms to compensate for any signal loss or optical interference.
Apple must maintain the image quality captured by the front-facing camera, even with the use of HIAA (Hole-in-Active-Area) technology, a technique that uses a laser to drill a tiny hole in the screen to embed the camera without affecting the display area. To address these challenges, Apple is likely working on:
Designing specific areas of the screen to allow more infrared rays to pass through.
Optimize software algorithms to compensate for any distortion or signal loss.
Collaborating with suppliers like Samsung to develop advanced display technologies.
What about the front camera and the dynamic island?
While the iPhone 18 Pro models will feature under-display Face ID with a small punch hole for the front-facing camera, standard models like the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Air will retain the current Dynamic Island housing two sensors and a front-facing camera. This means Apple will continue its strategy of differentiating the Pro models from the regular models with exclusive features.
The Dynamic Island, introduced by Apple with the iPhone 14 Pro, intelligently interacts with notifications and apps. However, with Face ID moving under the display, Apple may abandon this feature on the Pro models, or perhaps replace it with a software system that mimics its functions without the need for physical holes.
Apple's new launch date and strategy
According to leaks, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to launch in September 2026, while the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Air models will launch in spring 2027. This split in launch dates reflects a new Apple strategy that aims to:
◉ Giving Pro models more time to shine in the market.
◉ Attract consumers who are looking for the latest technology early.
◉ Meet the expectations of users who prefer standard models at lower prices.
How will users be affected by this change?
If Apple succeeds in implementing this technology, users will enjoy a more elegant and modern smartphone experience, from Apple's perspective. Imagine a phone that looks like a piece of glass without any seams! But there are questions to consider:
Will Face ID remain reliable? If Apple cannot maintain the same level of performance and security, this may raise concerns for users.
What about the price? Advanced display technologies often increase production costs, which can be reflected in the device's price.
Also, will the tiny hole affect the quality of selfies? These are many questions that we believe Apple has innovative answers and solutions for.
The concept of a full-screen display isn't new. Jony Ive, Apple's former design director, dreamed of an iPhone without any bezels or notches for years. This dream reflects Apple's vision for delivering an ideal user experience that combines beauty with advanced functionality. Today, with fierce competition from companies like Samsung and Google, which use punch-hole designs in phones like the S25 and Pixel 9, Apple is striving to deliver something beyond expectations.
With the iPhone 18 Pro launch approaching in 2026, Apple appears poised to make a major leap in smartphone design. Under-display Face ID, coupled with a punch-hole front camera, could bring the iPhone closer to the dream of an all-screen design. However, success depends on Apple's ability to overcome technical challenges while maintaining the performance and quality users have come to expect.
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