Apple to Implement Under-Display Face ID with the iPhone 18 Pro: The Dawn of a True All-Screen Experience
We have been closely monitoring the evolution of smartphone display technology for years, and it appears we are on the precipice of a monumental shift in the industry. The latest intelligence suggests that Apple is preparing to make a significant leap forward with its upcoming flagship device. According to persistent and credible industry rumors, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are poised to become the first Apple smartphones to feature under-display Face ID technology. This development signals the beginning of the end for visible cutouts and dynamic islands, paving the way for a truly seamless, uninterrupted display surface. For enthusiasts and developers who appreciate cutting-edge technology, particularly within the Android ecosystem where such innovations often take root first, the realm of customization remains key. Our work at Magisk Modules and our extensive Magisk Module Repository continues to serve that community.
The implications of this technological advancement are profound, extending far beyond mere aesthetics. It represents a re-engineering of the fundamental components that make up the iPhone’s most defining feature: its front-facing biometric security array. We will delve deep into the specifics of this transition, the technological hurdles Apple has allegedly overcome, the future of the Dynamic Island, and what this means for the broader smartphone landscape. The journey to an all-screen device has been a long and arduous one, and the iPhone 18 Pro may finally be the device that delivers on the ultimate promise of a monolithic slab of glass and metal.
The Evolutionary Path to Under-Display Face ID
To fully grasp the significance of the iPhone 18 Pro’s rumored design, we must look back at the architectural choices Apple has made over the past several years. The transition has been gradual, methodical, and focused on minimizing the display interruptions that began with the notch.
From the Notch to the Dynamic Island: A Strategic Redesign
When Apple introduced the iPhone X in 2017, the notch was a necessary compromise. It housed a complex array of sensors: the Dot Projector, Infrared Camera, Flood Illuminator, and the speaker, among others. This suite of components, collectively known as TrueDepth, enabled the revolutionary Face ID system. For years, the notch remained a controversial but integral part of the iPhone’s identity.
With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple introduced the Dynamic Island. This was not merely a software trick; it was a hardware redesign that split the single cutout into two distinct sections, creating a pill-shaped area that could expand and contract to display system alerts and live activities. This move cleverly integrated hardware limitations into the user experience, turning a functional necessity into an interactive UI element. We see this as a stopgap measure, a clever bridge technology designed to maintain user familiarity while engineers worked on the ultimate solution behind the scenes.
The Precedent Set by Android Manufacturers
It is important to acknowledge that the concept of under-display cameras (UDC) and sensors is not entirely new. Android manufacturers such as ZTE, Samsung, and Xiaomi have already released devices featuring various forms of under-display camera technology. However, the implementation has often faced challenges with image quality and sensor transparency. Apple’s approach is typically characterized by a refusal to adopt a technology until it meets their stringent standards for performance and user experience. The rumors surrounding the iPhone 18 Pro suggest that Apple has found a solution that not only matches but potentially exceeds the performance of their current Face ID system, likely leveraging advanced pixel density and optical engineering.
Underlying Technology: How Apple Plans to Make Face ID Disappear
Integrating the TrueDepth camera system beneath the active display area is a formidable engineering challenge. The Face ID hardware requires a clear path to the user’s face to project thousands of invisible infrared dots and read them back. Traditional OLED and LCD panels are opaque, blocking this infrared light. We have identified several key technological advancements that will likely make this possible.
Advanced OLED and MicroLED Display Panels
The key to this transition lies in the display panel itself. Current rumors point to Apple utilizing next-generation OLED technology that offers higher pixel density and improved transparency for infrared light. Specifically, the pixels in the area above the Face ID sensors may be engineered to be physically smaller or use a different sub-pixel arrangement, allowing IR light to pass through with minimal distortion or loss of intensity.
Some supply chain analysts also suggest that Apple is actively developing MicroLED technology for future displays. While the iPhone 18 Pro is still likely to use a highly advanced form of OLED, the R&D for MicroLED focuses on creating panels with exceptional brightness, efficiency, and the ability to integrate sensors more seamlessly. The transition to under-display Face ID is a critical step in paving the way for a full MicroLED future.
Sensor Miniaturization and AI-Powered Calibration
Beyond the display, the TrueDepth module itself has likely undergone significant miniaturization. The infrared camera, dot projector, and other components need to be small enough to fit under the active pixel grid without creating a bulge or dead zone. Furthermore, we anticipate that Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will play a crucial role. Apple will use sophisticated algorithms to compensate for any potential loss of clarity caused by the display layers. The system will be trained to interpret the IR data even as it passes through the OLED matrix, ensuring that security and speed are not compromised. This software-hardware synergy is a hallmark of Apple’s engineering philosophy.
The Fate of the Dynamic Island: A Software Legacy
If the hardware cutout is eliminated on the iPhone 18 Pro, what becomes of the Dynamic Island? This is a question we have seen asked frequently. The evidence strongly suggests that the Dynamic Island will not disappear entirely; instead, it will transition from a hardware-defined feature to a software-based UI element.
A Virtual Dynamic Island in iOS
We expect Apple to retain the Dynamic Island as a core part of the iOS user interface for at least the next few generations of the operating system. It has become an intuitive hub for notifications, timers, and live activities. With no physical cutout to define its space, Apple could implement a “virtual” Dynamic Island. This would essentially be a rounded, software-defined area near the top of the display where these notifications originate.
This area could function similarly to the “hole-punch” camera indicators seen on some Android devices, but with Apple’s signature polish and interactivity. It would expand and contract based on the activity, providing a consistent and familiar user experience. This demonstrates Apple’s commitment to software continuity, even as the underlying hardware platform evolves dramatically. The software UX remains paramount.
The Future of All-Screen Design
The removal of the Face ID cutout is the final piece of the puzzle for a truly all-screen iPhone. With the front camera being the last remaining sensor to be placed under the display, the iPhone 18 Pro (or a subsequent model) will finally achieve the sleek, monolithic design that Apple has been striving for since the original iPhone. This will result in more usable screen real estate, a more immersive viewing experience for media and gaming, and a cleaner, more futuristic aesthetic.
Predictions for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
Based on the current trajectory, we can forecast some of the key specifications and design cues for the upcoming flagship models. The integration of under-display Face ID is the centerpiece, but it will likely be accompanied by other significant upgrades.
Display Specifications and Screen Real Estate
We anticipate that the display technology will see a generational leap. Expect improved brightness, efficiency, and color accuracy. The elimination of the cutout will result in a higher screen-to-body ratio, providing a more expansive canvas. While the physical dimensions may remain similar to the iPhone 17 Pro, the active display area will be larger. The 120Hz ProMotion technology will certainly be standard, and we may even see advancements in variable refresh rates to further conserve battery life.
Performance, Chipset, and Connectivity
The iPhone 18 Pro will undoubtedly be powered by the A20 Bionic chip, built on an even more advanced process node (likely 2nm or smaller). This will deliver monumental gains in CPU and GPU performance, as well as power efficiency. The Neural Engine will be faster, further enhancing computational photography, on-device AI tasks, and the machine learning algorithms required for the under-display sensor system. 5G connectivity will be more mature, and we may see the integration of Wi-Fi 8 for blazing-fast local networking.
Camera System Innovations
With the space previously occupied by the TrueDepth array freed up, Apple could have more flexibility in arranging other components, including the front-facing camera. It is plausible we will see an upgrade to the selfie camera sensor, potentially with a wider aperture or improved low-light capabilities. The rear camera system will continue its evolution, with larger sensors and more advanced computational photography techniques, solidifying the iPhone’s position as a top-tier mobile photography device.
The Broader Impact on the Smartphone Industry
Apple’s move to under-display Face ID will undoubtedly send ripples across the entire mobile industry. While competitors have experimented with under-display cameras, Apple’s implementation is expected to set a new benchmark for quality and integration. This will likely accelerate the industry-wide adoption of this technology, pushing display manufacturers and sensor developers to refine their solutions further. The Android ecosystem, known for its rapid innovation, will likely respond with its own enhanced versions of under-display sensor technology, leading to a new era of competition focused on achieving the ultimate clean slate design.
We are witnessing the culmination of a decade of research and development in mobile display and biometric security. The iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to be a landmark device, not just for Apple, but for the entire smartphone market. It represents the final step in a long journey toward a device that is nothing but screen, power, and capability. The era of the notch is over, the era of the dynamic island is a transitional phase, and the era of the true all-screen iPhone is dawning. For those of us who follow the intersection of hardware and software, this is a momentous occasion. We will continue to monitor all developments as we get closer to the official unveiling, expected in the fall of 2026. The future is seamless, and it is being crafted one pixel at a time.