Apple's Under-Display Face ID Technology: Full-Screen iPhones for 2026 or 2027, Pro Models First

Apple's Under-Display Face ID Technology: Full-Screen iPhones for 2026 or 2027, Pro Models FirstIn April 2023, display industry analyst Ross Young projected that the iPhone 17 Pro would feature under-display Face ID. However, in May 2024, he revised his prediction, citing technical challenges that would delay the implementation until 2026

Apple's Under-Display Face ID Technology: Full-Screen iPhones for 2026 or 2027, Pro Models First

In April 2023, display industry analyst Ross Young projected that the iPhone 17 Pro would feature under-display Face ID. However, in May 2024, he revised his prediction, citing technical challenges that would delay the implementation until 2026. This means the iPhone 18 Pro series is likely to be the first to incorporate this technology. Apple reporter Mark Gurman echoed this sentiment, suggesting that by 2026 or 2027, the Pro models' Dynamic Island will shrink as Apple plans to move more components, including the Face ID module, under the screen.

This technological breakthrough will revolutionize the iPhone Pro's screen design. Currently, the "Dynamic Island" houses the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors. By concealing Face ID beneath the display, Apple can achieve a true full-screen design, retaining only a single front-facing camera, resembling the single-hole punch design of Android flagships like the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25. This sleek aesthetic will undoubtedly enhance user experience and further solidify the iPhone Pro's position in the high-end market.

However, achieving under-display 3D facial recognition is far from simple. Numerous Apple patents reveal significant challenges. A major hurdle is increasing the transmittance of infrared light. While infrared light can penetrate the display, its transmission rate is extremely low. Placing the infrared sensors directly under the screen would drastically reduce the speed and security of facial recognition.

To overcome this, Apple's patents propose removing some sub-pixels to create pathways for infrared light. These missing pixels would be imperceptible to the naked eye, with software algorithms and display technology ensuring consistent and seamless screen visuals. This requires meticulous hardware and software calibration and optimization to guarantee the accuracy and reliability of under-display Face ID, while maintaining flawless visual quality.

The delayed launch isn't solely due to technical hurdles. Apple is renowned for its high standards for product quality and user experience and will not compromise. The maturity and stability of under-display Face ID directly impact user experience and Apple's brand image. Therefore, even if technical challenges are solved, Apple will need extensive testing and optimization to ensure the technology meets its rigorous quality standards before integrating it into a product.

From a supply chain perspective, the maturity of under-display Face ID also depends on technological breakthroughs and increased production capacity from upstream suppliers. Apple needs close collaboration with its suppliers to ensure component quality and supply chain stability. This requires significant time and resource investment, inevitably prolonging the product launch cycle.

In conclusion, Apple's decision to target 2026 or 2027 for under-display Face ID is a result of multiple factors: technological challenges, Apple's stringent requirements for product quality and user experience, and the level of cooperation from its supply chain. It reflects Apple's cautious approach to technological innovation and its relentless pursuit of user experience excellence.

The realization of under-display Face ID represents not only a major breakthrough in full-screen technology for Apple, but also signifies the mobile industry's movement towards sleeker, more aesthetically pleasing, and futuristic designs. Its successful implementation will have a profound impact on the entire mobile industry, prompting other manufacturers to accelerate the development of similar technologies.

In the future, when iPhone Pro models finally incorporate under-display Face ID, users will experience more immersive visuals and smoother operation. This will be a significant upgrade to the Apple ecosystem and a revolutionary advancement in the mobile industry. It's not merely a technical update; it's a bold exploration and practical implementation of the future of phone design, heralding a new era for mobile phone form factors. While we wait, we can anticipate other exciting developments from Apple. After all, an Apple product launch is always more than just a technical upgrade; it's a technological feast.

The eventual implementation of this technology will not only impact the design of the iPhone Pro series but may also serve as a technological reference and guide for future Apple devices, such as the iPad Pro, driving the full-screen transition across Apple's product line. This will lead to technological innovation in the entire mobile device industry. Therefore, we can look forward to witnessing the maturation and widespread adoption of under-display Face ID in the coming years.