News (EN)

IPhone 18 Pro (2026) will have invisible Face ID under the screen and dynamic island optimized by Apple

Caixa iphone apple
Photo: Bangkok, Thailand - October 18, 2023: Close Caixa iphone apple - Photo: dontree_m/istock

Apple plans a significant redesign for the iPhone 18 Pro models, scheduled for launch in 2026, with a focus on innovations that promise to radically transform users’ visual and interactive experience. Entre The most awaited changes include the integration of the Face ID facial recognition system directly under the device’s screen, an advancement that aims to completely eliminate the traditional notch and maximize the usable display space for truly immersive and uninterrupted viewing. Esta strategy underlines an ongoing commitment to minimalist design and enhanced functionality, seeking a balance between aesthetics and performance that is the technology giant’s hallmark.

This technological evolution represents a considerable leap compared to current models, where the presence of the notch is still a defining characteristic. Removing the notch paves the way for a cleaner and more elegant design, in line with the expectations of an audience that increasingly seeks borderless screens.

Apple caixa, iphone
リンゴの箱、iPhone – atracurium_/ iStock
[[_0]
[[_0]
[[_0]
[[_0]
[[_0]

Additionally, the Dynamic Island feature, introduced in previous models as a smart solution to integrate alerts and background activities, will undergo substantial optimization. Esta improvement aims to further refine its usefulness and integration with the operating system, making it more fluid and intuitive for users.

Face ID: the invisible revolution on the screen

The Face ID, launched with the iPhone X in 2017, quickly established itself as a milestone in biometric authentication, utilizing 3D sensors for secure facial recognition. Agora, Apple directs its efforts towards an even deeper integration of this technology, seeking to offer an unprecedented full-screen experience and raising the bar for security and convenience.

Prototypes of the technology have already demonstrated up to a 50% reduction in notch area, a critical step towards achieving full-screen vision while maintaining the rigorous effectiveness and security of the recognition system. Este advancement is fundamental to the vision of a smartphone where the screen occupies most of the front surface.

Challenges overcome in integration

Since 2023, components under the display panel have represented one of the biggest technical challenges for engineers, making it difficult to maximize the optical output of OLED panels and correct sensor functionality. Contudo, recent efforts have resulted in notable progress, overcoming barriers previously considered insurmountable. Para achieve optimal optical and sensor performance, allowing light to pass through the display without compromising image quality or Face ID accuracy, new materials and advanced processing techniques are required for future iPhones. The miniaturization of components, combined with more sophisticated image processing algorithms, is essential to this successful integration, with recent research indicating a 0.1 mm decrease in the thickness of the facial recognition module, a feat crucial to the practical viability of the project, making the hardware almost invisible to the human eye.

The A20 chip drives intelligence

The implementation of this new technological architecture will be driven by the upcoming A20 chip, which will be manufactured using TSMC’s 2-nanometer production process. Este next generation process will be fundamental to support innovations and guarantee the performance necessary for advanced functionalities. Ele will provide the essential processing power for the Face ID under display to operate efficiently and quickly, even in challenging lighting conditions. Além In addition, the A20 chip is expected to deliver a performance increase of up to 20% compared to its predecessor, the A18, reinforcing the device’s overall capabilities, especially with regard to artificial intelligence and graphics processing, which are crucial for the modern user experience.

Dynamic Island Redesign

The Dynamic Island, introduced in 2022 as a smart replacement for the traditional notch, is slated for significant optimization in future Pro models. Sua functionality, which integrates real-time alerts and activities, will be maintained, but its shape and size will be revised to suit the new notchless screen layout.

This new design further refines the pill-shaped area above the display, contributing to the aesthetic that the Apple is aiming for, maintaining a clean and efficient design that harmonizes with the absence of the notch. With Face ID technology hidden under the screen, the visible notch will be reduced to just the front camera, the size of which will also be minimized to maximize the usable screen area, completing the notch-free design.

Launch strategy and impact

Apple’s strategy for the iPhone 18 series envisages a segmented approach to the launch of models, aiming for a careful introduction of its innovations. The debut of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, incorporating the new under-display Face ID functionality, is scheduled for fall 2026, marking a pivotal moment for the company.

This method allows the company to improve the testing process before a broad launch, ensuring that the technology is mature and flawless. Supply chain optimization is also a key focus, ensuring production and distribution meet global demand.

Camera and battery innovations

The upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models will incorporate the A20 chip, manufactured with 2nm technology, promising a performance increase of up to 20% and robust support for advanced artificial intelligence features, which will be used in various applications, from image processing to more intelligent virtual assistants. The rear camera will also undergo major improvements, with a variable aperture from f/1.4 to f/4.0, enabling high-quality photos even in low-light conditions and offering photographers unprecedented versatility in various scenarios. Adicionalmente, the batteries of the Pro models will integrate stacking technology, increasing energy density by 30% and, consequently, significantly extending the devices’ autonomy.

Enhanced biometric security

The under-screen Face ID system is designed to match the accuracy and security of current biometric systems, with an error rate of 1 in 1,000,000, ensuring an exceptional level of protection for users’ data and privacy. The sensors operate at an impressive speed of 60 milliseconds, ensuring fast and effective recognition in a variety of everyday situations, from unlocking the device to authenticating payments and accessing applications.