Apple's Under-Display Face ID Patent: iPhone 18 to Ditch the Pill in 2026?

Apple's Under-Display Face ID Patent: iPhone 18 to Ditch the Pill in 2026?The biggest hurdle for Apple in achieving a truly bezel-less iPhone has been under-display Face ID technology. Face ID relies on a sophisticated depth-sensing camera system that projects and analyzes numerous points to capture precise facial data

Apple's Under-Display Face ID Patent: iPhone 18 to Ditch the Pill in 2026?

The biggest hurdle for Apple in achieving a truly bezel-less iPhone has been under-display Face ID technology. Face ID relies on a sophisticated depth-sensing camera system that projects and analyzes numerous points to capture precise facial data. Key components like the infrared camera and dot projector are currently difficult to fully conceal beneath the screen, forcing Apple to adopt the compromise of the "pill-shaped cutout" design. However, a recently granted Apple patent promises to revolutionize this, paving the way for a true full-screen iPhone. This patent cleverly solves key technical challenges associated with under-screen cameras, potentially enabling its implementation in the iPhone 18 series as early as 2026.

The core challenge of under-display Face ID lies in increasing the transmittance of infrared light. While infrared light can penetrate displays, the transmittance is extremely low. Placing the infrared camera directly under the screen would significantly reduce facial recognition speed and compromise security. Apple's new patent offers an elegant solution: it cleverly manipulates the arrangement of OLED subpixels to effectively improve infrared light transmittance while maintaining the integrity of the screen's display.

Displays are composed of countless pixels, each consisting of three subpixels: red, green, and blue. The combination and mixing of these subpixels create the vibrant images we see on the screen. The core of Apple's patent lies in "deleting" certain subpixels to create channels for infrared light to penetrate the screen. Specifically, the technology removes adjacent subpixels of the same color. For example, it might remove two adjacent red subpixels, or two adjacent green subpixels. This provides a relatively unobstructed path for infrared light without affecting the user's visual experience.

Importantly, removing subpixels doesn't result in noticeable blemishes or color discrepancies. Apple's patent also includes a sophisticated color compensation mechanism. By utilizing color blending techniques with neighboring pixels, Apple can effectively compensate for the color loss caused by the removed subpixels, ensuring uniform and consistent overall display quality. The removed subpixels are virtually imperceptible to the naked eye, maintaining perfect screen display quality. This ingenious design highlights Apple's deep expertise and innovation in hardware and software technology.

The groundbreaking significance of this technology is its potential to completely solve the final stumbling block in iPhone full-screen design. For years, Apple has strived for a truly bezel-less design, but limitations in Face ID technology have necessitated compromises like the "notch" and "pill" designs. This under-display Face ID patent offers the possibility of achieving a true full-screen design.

This means future iPhones could ditch the "pill," achieving a truly full-screen form factor for a more immersive viewing experience. The overall screen aesthetic will be significantly improved, and screen utilization will increase substantially. Imagine a future iPhone with a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing appearancemore attractive than ever before.

While the technology is still under development, industry reports suggest Apple plans to implement it as early as the iPhone 18 series in 2026. We may then see an iPhone with a true full-screen display and advanced under-display Face ID capabilities. This would represent a major leap forward in mobile phone design and herald the true arrival of the full-screen phone era.

The success of this patent is highly significant not only for Apple but also for the entire mobile phone industry. It will drive further development of under-display camera technology, pushing the industry towards more advanced full-screen designs. Other manufacturers may adopt Apple's approach, developing their own under-display camera technologies. This will ultimately lead to upgrades across the mobile phone market, offering consumers more and better choices.

Apple's under-display Face ID patent has undoubtedly injected new vitality into the smartphone industry. It not only signifies Apple's continued leadership in technological innovation but also points to the direction of future smartphone development. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of the iPhone 18 series in 2026 to witness the actual application of this technology and experience the transformative impact of a truly full-screen iPhone. This innovation will redefine the aesthetic standards of phone design, bringing consumers a more stunning visual feast.

The successful implementation of this patent technology will significantly enhance the overall user experience. Users will enjoy a more immersive viewing experience and more convenient facial unlocking. This will be not just a technological upgrade, but a comprehensive improvement in user experience. Ultimately, this technology will push the smartphone industry toward a more convenient, intelligent, and aesthetically pleasing future. Apple's technological breakthrough will undoubtedly lead a new industry trend, prompting other manufacturers to accelerate their own technological research and development, thereby driving technological progress in the entire mobile phone industry. And this is the most profound significance of this technology. Apple's innovation will continue to change our lifestyles.

The successful development of this patent technology also reflects Apple's massive and sustained investment in R&D over many years. This underscores the vital importance of continuous R&D investment and technological accumulation for long-term corporate growth. Apple's success story will provide valuable lessons for other companies, promoting the vigorous development of the entire technology sector. We have reason to believe that more innovative technologies like this will emerge in the future, bringing more convenience and surprises to our lives. Apple's continuous innovation will shape the trends of future technological development.