iPhone 18 Pro Leak Confirms Under-Display Face ID
▼ Summary
– Apple is testing under-screen Face ID for iPhone 18 Pro models using a special “spliced micro-transparent glass” window in the display.
– This specialized glass is designed to allow the TrueDepth system’s infrared sensors to function through the panel without distortion.
– The technology is similar to existing industry methods that use micro-perforated or nano-patterned glass to improve infrared transmission.
– Reports indicate this development has prompted related suppliers to accelerate preparations for potential production.
– While rumors agree on under-display Face ID, there is disagreement on whether it will eliminate the Dynamic Island or just make it smaller.
A new leak suggests Apple is making significant progress on a key design change for its future flagship smartphones. The company is reportedly testing a specialized type of glass that would allow the Face ID system to function from beneath the display, potentially leading to a much cleaner screen appearance. This development centers on a component described as “spliced micro-transparent glass,” which would be integrated directly into the panel to permit infrared light from the TrueDepth camera array to pass through without distortion.
The information originates from a source on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, known as “Smart Pikachu,” who has a track record of sharing accurate details from hardware supply chains. According to this leak, the technical approach involves using this specially engineered glass to create a localized window with enhanced infrared transmission properties. This method is conceptually similar to existing industry techniques that employ micro-perforations or nano-patterns on glass to allow specific types of light to pass through for under-display sensors.
This testing phase has reportedly prompted related component suppliers to accelerate their preparations for potential mass production, indicating Apple is seriously evaluating the technology for implementation. The move aligns with a longstanding industry goal of moving biometric sensors and cameras underneath the screen to eliminate notches and cutouts, thereby maximizing the usable display area.
While rumors have consistently pointed to the iPhone 18 Pro models featuring under-display Face ID, there has been some debate about the exact timeline and final design. A previous report from The Information suggested the 2026 Pro models might completely remove the Dynamic Island, replacing it with a single, small pinhole cutout for the front-facing camera alone. However, other industry analysts offer a different perspective.
Display expert Ross Young has indicated that the arrival of under-display Face ID technology does not necessarily mean the complete disappearance of the Dynamic Island. Instead, he anticipates the familiar pill-shaped area will become substantially smaller. This view is supported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has also mentioned a “slimmed down” Dynamic Island for the upcoming Pro devices.
The new claim regarding the micro-transparent glass window lends credence to this hybrid design approach. It supports the possibility of a smaller, less intrusive Dynamic Island that houses only the front camera, while the TrueDepth system’s flood illuminator and dot projector are relocated beneath the screen surface. Although the leak does not explicitly name the Pro models, supply chain discussions during early testing phases often refer to device series broadly, and all prior rumors have connected this advanced technology exclusively to Apple’s high-end offerings.
Looking at the broader launch strategy, Apple is anticipated to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models in September of 2026. This release may coincide with the debut of an all-new foldable iPhone, signaling a shift toward a split-cycle launch schedule for the company’s smartphone lineup. The standard iPhone 18 and a more budget-conscious model, tentatively referred to as the iPhone 18e, are not expected to arrive until early 2027, and they are unlikely to feature this advanced under-display technology.
(Source: Mac Rumors)
