The iPhone 18 Pro hasn’t even been unveiled yet, but one of the biggest changes in years is already swirling around it. According to the latest supply-chain leaks, Apple is reportedly testing a new version of Face ID that would move directly under the display, eliminating the need for a visible cutout in the screen. The key is said to be special micro-transparent glass that lets the infrared sensors work through the panel without losing accuracy.
For now, these are still unofficial reports, but multiple separate stories from different regions describe very similar technology and timelines. The leaks agree that Apple no longer sees under-display Face ID as a distant vision, but as a realistic feature planned for the iPhone 18 Pro generation.
For users, this would be a major step toward a “clean,” full-screen display—one where the front isn’t disrupted by a large cutout or the prominent Dynamic Island pill. So the question is: are we looking at the complete end of Dynamic Island, or just its next evolution?
What the latest leaks actually say
According to leaks from the Chinese social network Weibo, Apple is working on so-called “3D under-display technology” designed specifically for Face ID. Supplier chatter says the test panels include a small “window” section made of micro-transparent glass above the TrueDepth module.
This section is reportedly “stitched into” or “bonded” to the display so that it’s practically invisible to the naked eye, while still having different optical properties than the rest of the panel. The goal is to let Face ID’s infrared light pass through the display with as little distortion as possible, while visible light and on-screen content remain clean and unaffected for the user.
At the same time, reports claim Apple is already pushing certain supply-chain partners to prepare manufacturing capacity for new materials. That suggests this isn’t just a lab experiment—it’s a technology the company is seriously considering for a final product, at least on the Pro models.
How micro-transparent glass works under the display
Micro-transparent glass (sometimes described as “spliced micro-transparent glass” or “micro-lens glass”) uses an extremely fine structure that changes how light behaves in a specific area of the panel. In practice, the small zone above the Face ID sensors behaves differently than the rest of the display—it transmits the infrared radiation Face ID uses for face mapping more effectively.
This idea isn’t entirely new. In the past, various types of micro-perforated or nano-patterned glass have been used to improve light transmission for sensors hidden under a display. The difference here is that Apple is apparently working on a solution that’s high-quality enough to be invisible to the naked eye while avoiding blur or color degradation in that part of the screen.
We’ve seen similar experiments with under-display selfie cameras—for example, on the Galaxy Z Fold 3. While the manufacturer achieved an almost uninterrupted display, photo quality from the under-display camera was noticeably worse than with conventional solutions, which contributed to a return to more traditional designs in newer models.
Dynamic Island: will it disappear completely, or just shrink?
The key question for iPhone design fans is: what happens to Dynamic Island? The latest leaks diverge slightly on this point. Some reports claim Face ID will be fully hidden under the display, leaving only a tiny punch-hole for the selfie camera at the top—potentially in the top-left corner.
Other sources suggest Dynamic Island won’t disappear entirely, but will shrink significantly. In practice, that would mean part of the Face ID sensor array moves under the panel, while a smaller cutout remains for the camera and some sensors—still usable as an interactive system element, but less distracting when watching videos or gaming.
The outcome could be a transitional period in which the iPhone 18 Pro feels like a compromise: still recognizably “an iPhone with Dynamic Island,” but with a much smaller area reserved for the cutout and a noticeably larger usable display area. A truly “clean” display with no cutout at all may only come in the next step—once Apple also perfects an under-display selfie camera.
When to expect an iPhone 18 Pro with under-display Face ID
Based on current leaks, the iPhone 18 Pro generation is expected in 2026, with these models reportedly set to be the first to move Face ID under the display. Cheaper iPhone 18 variants and a model referred to as the 18e are said to arrive later—likely around the 2026/2027 window—with some delay compared to the Pro versions.
Not all forecasts are that optimistic, though. Some expert analyses point out that the technical challenges around under-display cameras and Face ID remain significant, and Apple may save a definitive “all-screen” iPhone for later years. Some scenarios tie a fully uninterrupted display to models around 2027 and beyond—potentially even a future iPhone 20.
It’s therefore best to view under-display Face ID on the iPhone 18 Pro as very likely, but still not guaranteed. Apple has long tended to ship new technology only when it considers it reliable enough and scalable for mass production—even if that means competitors deliver similar solutions first.
Technical risks: photo quality and unlock reliability
Moving Face ID under the display brings several risks that other manufacturers’ experiments have already hinted at. The first is capture quality—sensors have to see through an additional layer of material, which can affect sharpness, contrast, or how much light reaches the sensors. With Face ID, the accuracy of the facial depth map is crucial, so the system must work reliably even in challenging lighting conditions.
Another factor is reflections and uneven light transmission. Micro-transparent glass may improve infrared transmission, but Apple also has to ensure there aren’t visible “blotches” or glare in areas where the glass differs from the rest of the panel. That’s why these solutions are tested over long periods and through multiple iterations before they make it into a final product.
Finally, there’s the question of power draw and longevity. If under-display sensors require higher brightness or special panel modes, it could impact energy consumption and the display’s long-term stability. Apple will need to strike a balance between a cutout-free design and everyday practicality.
What it means for users
For the average user, the biggest visible change will be how the display feels. If Face ID truly moves under the panel, the top of the screen will look cleaner, and there will be fewer distracting elements when watching movies and TV shows or playing games. It’s a trend we’ve been seeing for years—from the classic notch to a smaller, more dynamic cutout.
At the same time, unlock speed and reliability are expected to remain at least on par with today’s models. Apple can’t afford to prioritize design over security and convenience, since Face ID is key not only to unlocking the phone but often to payments and app logins as well. Before mass production, the company will need to test the technology across a huge range of scenarios—from darkness to backlighting, and with hats, scarves, and glasses.
If everything works out, the iPhone 18 Pro could be the device that first combines proven Face ID with a nearly bezel-less display—without compromising on security. In practice, it could be an important step toward what many fans imagine as the “ideal iPhone”: a front that’s almost entirely screen, with all the hardware hidden underneath.
Impact on developers and app design
From an app maker’s perspective, the change may not be dramatic. Even today, interface layouts have to account for different cutout shapes, rounded display corners, and varying screen sizes. iOS provides developers with so-called safe areas, which automatically keep UI elements away from the cutout or edges.
If Dynamic Island simply shrinks or turns into a smaller punch-hole, most apps will adjust automatically—without major changes. The bigger difference will be for apps that creatively use the cutout, such as games or animations built around Dynamic Island. Those may get new UI treatments or effects tailored to a smaller opening—or to a completely smooth top edge.
Over the longer term, eliminating cutouts entirely could give designers more freedom, since they won’t have to worry about something being hidden behind a notch or text wrapping around the pill. iOS will likely keep some reserved space near the top edge regardless—whether for the status bar, signal, time, or future experiments that extend the system into the area around the camera.
Video: a roundup of iPhone 18 Pro leaks and under-display Face ID
If you want a visual breakdown of these leaks and concepts, you’ll also find them in a detailed video that summarizes what we know so far about the iPhone 18 Pro with Face ID hidden under the display.
Video: what under-display Face ID means in practice
A second short video focuses more on explaining how “invisible” Face ID could work and what trade-offs it might bring in terms of capture quality and display design.
Sources
- MacRumors – “iPhone 18 Pro Leak Adds New Evidence for Under-Display Face ID”
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/08/iphone-18-pro-under-display-face-id/ (MacRumors) - 9to5Mac – “iPhone 18 leak says Face ID moving under-display next year”
https://9to5mac.com/2025/12/08/iphone-18-leak-says-face-id-moving-under-display-next-year/ (9to5Mac) - Tom’s Guide – “iPhone 18 tipped to finally put Face ID behind the display — here’s what that means”
https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/iphone-18-could-borrow-a-feature-from-samsungs-foldable-phones-when-it-launches-next-year (Tom’s Guide) - TechRadar – “The iPhone 18 may finally add a camera feature that Samsung introduced on its flagship phones in 2021”
https://www.techradar.com/phones/iphone/the-iphone-18-may-finally-add-a-camera-feature-that-samsung-introduced-on-its-flagship-phones-in-2021 (TechRadar) - The Times of India – “iPhone 18 Pro may get under-screen Face ID: Report”
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/mobiles-tabs/iphone-18-pro-may-get-under-screen-face-id-report/articleshow/125840823.cms (The Times of India)
Jana
I like turning curiosity into words, and writing articles is my way of capturing ideas before they slip away — and sharing them with anyone who feels like reading.
