Apple's Under-Display Face ID Patent Approved: iPhone 18 Poised for True Full-Screen Display

Apple's Under-Display Face ID Patent Approved: iPhone 18 Poised for True Full-Screen DisplayApple has recently achieved a significant breakthrough, securing a key patent for its under-display Face ID technology. This patent solves a long-standing technical challenge hindering the iPhone's pursuit of a true full-screen design

Apple's Under-Display Face ID Patent Approved: iPhone 18 Poised for True Full-Screen Display

Apple has recently achieved a significant breakthrough, securing a key patent for its under-display Face ID technology. This patent solves a long-standing technical challenge hindering the iPhone's pursuit of a true full-screen design. Expected to debut in the iPhone 18 series, slated for release in 2026, this technology promises to eliminate the controversial "pill-shaped cutout," offering users a more immersive and visually appealing full-screen experience.

Traditionally, the iPhone's Face ID system relies on complex components, including infrared cameras and dot projectors. While compact, these components couldn't be entirely hidden beneath the screen. To maximize screen-to-body ratio while maintaining facial recognition functionality, Apple previously adopted the "pill" design, housing these components in the top bezel. Although an improvement over the "notch," this design still compromised the screen's visual aesthetic and integrity, falling short of a truly full-screen experience.

Apple's newly patented technology centers on significantly improving infrared light transmittance. Face ID operates by projecting infrared light onto the user's face to capture precise 3D facial data. While infrared light can penetrate displays, its transmittance through OLED screens is extremely low, impacting the accuracy and speed of facial recognition, and potentially compromising system reliability. Low transmittance results in weak infrared signals, leading to recognition failures or misinterpretations, thereby affecting user experience and security.

To overcome this hurdle, Apple's patent employs an innovative solution to enhance infrared light penetration. The key lies in the refined processing of OLED screen subpixels. OLED screens consist of red, green, and blue subpixels. Apple's patent selectively removes adjacent subpixels of specific colors to allow effective infrared light transmission.

This isn't a random removal; Apple uses precise calculations and design to selectively remove adjacent subpixels of the same color. This strategy ensures infrared light penetrates the OLED panel while minimizing the impact on display quality. Because only a limited number of subpixels are removed, and Apple utilizes adjacent subpixel color mixing to compensate for any color loss, the differences are practically imperceptible to the naked eye.

This technology cleverly maintains screen clarity and color accuracy while ensuring infrared light penetration. For Apple, which prioritizes superior display quality, this is a valuable technological leap. By meticulously manipulating subpixels, Apple successfully retains Face ID functionality while achieving a true full-screen design. This demonstrates Apple's commitment to technological innovation and user experience.

Industry analysts predict this technology will first appear in the iPhone 18 series, launching in 2026. The iPhone 18 is expected to feature a single-hole punch design, abandoning the current "pill" shape for a cleaner, more immersive full-screen experience. This will mark another significant milestone in Apples full-screen technology journey and usher in a new era for smartphone full-screen design.

This technology's success will not only enhance iPhone display quality but also serve as a blueprint for other smartphone manufacturers. We can anticipate more smartphones adopting similar under-display Face ID technology to achieve true full-screen designs, driving innovation and offering consumers superior products and experiences.

Apple consistently strives for ultimate mobile device experiences, and this under-display Face ID patent is a robust step towards that goal. Its implementation will enhance the iPhone's aesthetics and further solidify its leading position in facial recognition technology.

In conclusion, Apple's under-display Face ID patent exemplifies the perfect synergy between technological innovation and user experience. It solves a long-standing challenge in iPhone full-screen design and points the way forward for the future of smartphones. We can expect to see more smartphones incorporating under-display Face ID technology, delivering stunning full-screen visual experiences. The iPhone 18's arrival and the innovative technology it promises are eagerly anticipated, marking a significant leap for Apple and a technological revolution for the entire smartphone industry.