A big change can be seen in the Apple iPhone 18 series. This time it can come in a finished design, in which the company is planning to move Face ID below the display for the first time. This change was in rumors for the last several years, but now in the new leak it has been said that Apple is actively working on this feature. According to China’s popular leakster Smart Pikachu, Apple is testing ‘spliced micro-transparent glass’ technology for the in-display authentication system. This technology helps the TrueDepth infrared sensor work across the screen, which will make Face ID possible under the display.
It has been told in the leak that Apple has instructed its suppliers to hurry up to prepare the parts. This means that this is not just a test but part of real development.
However, it is not yet clear whether this feature will be limited to only the Pro models or will come in the entire iPhone 18 lineup. If Apple adopts this technology, the Dynamic Island could be much smaller and would only have a small cut-out for the front camera, as is the case with many Android flagships.
Different types of things have come to light in the reports. According to some, Dynamic Island may be completely removed in iPhone 18 Pro and instead there will be a single pinhole camera in the left top corner. Other reports believe that Dynamic Island will remain but in a more compact size. Analyst Ross Young says that Under-Display Face ID may come only for iPhone 18 Pro models, while the decision to remove the cut-out completely will be taken later.
The launch of the iPhone 18 series is expected in September next year, but some models may be delayed till 2027. The Pro model may include a foldable iPhone, A20 2nm chipset and Apple’s C2 modem, which will replace Qualcomm. Before this, Apple will launch the iPhone 17e, which will be the most affordable phone with Apple Intelligence feature, in early 2026.
Overall, iPhone 18 and the next two years are going to bring a big change in Apple’s display and silicon strategy. Under-Display Face ID may be the most obvious and important part of this change.
