Apple’s new technology for the iPhone 18 Pro should hide Face ID partially under the device’s screen

Apple is developing a new technology that will allow it to integrate part of the Face ID system components directly under the screen of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, scheduled for launch in September 2026. The change will result in a significant reduction in the size of the Informações from sources linked to the company’s production chain indicate that the front camera will remain visible and centralized, but the other sensors will be hidden, optimizing the useful area of ​​the display.

This approach represents a calculated step in Apple’s design strategy, which has historically favored incremental evolutions over radical changes. By hiding just a few components of the Face ID, the company seeks to improve the device’s aesthetics and offer a more immersive viewing experience, without compromising the security and speed of the facial unlock system, which is a trademark of the Pro line. The adjustment corrects previous rumors that pointed to an asymmetrical design and reinforces the company’s focus on refining existing technologies before adopting completely invisible solutions.

The implementation of this technology is seen as an intermediate step on the path to an iPhone with a truly seamless screen. Analistas from the technology sector point out that Apple has been testing prototypes with sensors under the screen for several years, waiting for the moment when the technology would reach the necessary maturity to meet its rigorous quality and performance standards. The move also aligns the company with trends in the premium smartphone market, where maximizing screen space is a crucial competitive differentiator.

The evolution of the Apple front design

Apple’s journey towards a full screen began in 2017 with the iPhone X, which introduced the “notch”, a prominent cutout at the top of the display. The Essa solution, although controversial at the time, was required to house the TrueDepth system’s complex array of sensors for the Face ID, marking the end of the iconic Home button and the beginning of the era of edge-to-edge displays. Durante five years, the notch remained a distinctive feature of the iPhones’ design, undergoing a slight size reduction in the iPhone 13. The big turning point occurred in 2022 with the launch of the iPhone 14 Pro, which replaced the notch with the Dynamic Island. Esse new pill-shaped cutout has been ingeniously integrated into iOS software to display alerts, real-time activity and interactive controls, transforming a hardware limitation into a functional, user-lauded feature. Agora, with the iPhone 18 Pro, the company is preparing for the next phase of this evolution, further refining the Dynamic Island to make it smaller and more discreet.

Details of the new under-display technology

The functioning of the Face ID depends on precise synergy between multiple components. The new configuration planned for the iPhone 18 Pro involves moving the infrared illuminator, responsible for illuminating the user’s face in low-light conditions, to a completely hidden position under the screen. Essa change is mainly responsible for the possibility of reducing the visible cutout.

The dot projector, one of the most critical elements for three-dimensional mapping of the face, will also be partially integrated into the display. Ele will continue to project more than 30,000 invisible infrared points to create an accurate depth map, but its physical structure will take up less space on the device’s surface.

Meanwhile, the front camera will remain in the center of the visible cutout, ensuring that the quality of selfies and video calls is not compromised, a common issue with first-generation under-screen camera technologies. Manter exposed camera ensures that the Apple does not have to sacrifice photographic performance for aesthetics.

The security of the system is kept intact, as the facial map generated by the sensors continues to be compared with the encrypted data stored in the processor’s Secure Enclave. Testes rigorous internals ensure that the speed and reliability of face unlock remains at the same level as current models, offering a seamless transition for the end user.

What changes in the user experience

The main advantage for consumers will be a noticeably larger and more immersive screen. Reducing the Dynamic Island will free up precious pixels at the top of the display, making watching videos, gaming, and navigating apps a more seamless and enjoyable experience. Essa additional area in the status bar can also allow iOS to display more notification icons or system information in a more organized way without the need for scrolling or abbreviations.

For developers, the change will require adaptations. Apple will likely provide new human interface guidelines and updated APIs so that applications can take advantage of the new Dynamic Island format. Aplicativos that use the interactive area to display widgets or custom controls will need to be adjusted to fit the smaller cutout, ensuring that functionality and aesthetics remain cohesive with the operating system and new hardware design.

Apple’s strategy against competitors

While several manufacturers in the Android ecosystem, such as the Samsung in its Galaxy Z Fold line, have already implemented front cameras completely hidden under the screen, the Apple adopts a more conservative and methodical stance. The company prioritizes the perfection of the experience over being the first to launch a new technology on the market.

The image quality of current under-screen cameras is still noticeably inferior to that of traditional cameras, especially in low-light environments. By keeping the front camera exposed on the iPhone 18 Pro, the Apple avoids this compromise, ensuring that photographic quality, one of the main attractions of its devices, remains unchanged.

This approach allows Apple to balance aesthetic innovation with proven functionality. The reduction of the Dynamic Island positions the iPhone 18

Other innovations expected for the iPhone 18 line

In addition to the change in the front design, the iPhone 18 Pro line should bring other significant improvements. Rumores point to the introduction of the A20 processor, which would be manufactured using a 2 nanometer process, promising significant leaps in performance and, mainly, in energy efficiency for artificial intelligence tasks.

In the camera department, the Pro Max model is expected to receive a new periscopic lens with improved optical zoom, as well as improvements to the main sensors. The construction of the devices must continue to use titanium, possibly with a finish that is more resistant to scratches and fingerprints.

What market analysts say

The camera centering information was corroborated by trusted analysts like Ross Young, who corrected early leaks that suggested an asymmetrical design. Initial disagreement highlighted the complexity of obtaining accurate supply chain information, but the current consensus points to a more logical evolution aligned with the Apple design philosophy.

Release schedule and projections

In keeping with tradition, Apple is expected to officially announce the iPhone 18 lineup at a special event in September 2026. Large-scale production of the new devices will begin in the preceding months, at partner facilities like Foxconn, to ensure initial stock meets high global demand.

Market expectations are high, as the reduction of Dynamic Island is one of the aesthetic improvements most requested by users since its introduction. Analistas predict that this change, combined with the other hardware upgrades, could drive a robust sales cycle for the company.