Apple plans to hide facial biometrics under the iPhone 18 Pro screen and change front design

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

Apple develops a deep visual and functional redesign for the iPhone 18 Pro line, scheduled for release in fall 2026. The main change involves the Face ID. The facial biometrics system will be moved below the display panel. The manufacturer seeks to eliminate visual interruptions on the screen. The movement accompanies a drastic reduction in the area known as Ilha Dinâmica. Apenas front camera lens will remain visible to users.

The initiative requires overcoming complex physical barriers in the manufacture of displays. The company’s Engenheiros has been working since 2023 on optimizing light extraction through OLED panels. The central objective is to allow infrared sensors to operate with millimeter precision without degrading the quality of the displayed image. Recent Protótipos already demonstrate the viability of the technology in laboratory tests. The high-end smartphone market follows the change closely.

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リンゴの箱、iPhone – atracurium_/ iStock

Engenharia of sensors and light extraction through the OLED panel

Implementing under-screen components represents one of the biggest technical challenges in the mobile device industry. The complexity lies in allowing photons to pass through the display without compromising the three-dimensional reading of the user’s face. Apple has developed new materials and signal processing solutions to overcome the problem. Facial recognition modules have seen a 0.1 millimeter reduction in thickness. The physical change makes it easier to fit the parts into the device’s compact chassis.

Internal testing has recorded up to a 50% decrease in light obstruction during operation of the hidden sensors. The advancement ensures that the biometric system maintains the effectiveness and speed of recognition already known by consumers. The Face ID debuted on the market in 2017 with the iPhone X. Desde then, technology dictates the security standard in authenticating payments and unlocking systems. The new architecture requires an unprecedented calibration of the infrared point emitters.

The accuracy of the under-screen system achieves an error rate of just one in a million. The number equals the security margin of traditional biometric readers currently used. The hidden sensor operates with a response speed of 60 milliseconds. The speed ensures immediate unlocking in different ambient lighting conditions. The manufacturer calibrates the hardware to work perfectly even in direct sunlight or in complete darkness.

Fim from Ilha Dinâmica and new front aesthetics of the devices

The Ilha Dinâmica emerged in 2022 as a smart solution to camouflage the screen’s top notch. The software feature integrates notifications and ongoing activities around the physical cutouts of the camera and the Face ID. The iPhone 18 Pro architecture will change this dynamic substantially. The format and size of the digital interface will undergo adjustments to adapt to the new physical reality of the display. The software functionality remains, but its visual presence will be more discreet.

The front design will adopt a single hole shape at the top of the screen. The minimalist approach frees up considerable usable area for displaying videos, games and applications. The elimination of the wide notch meets a long-standing consumer demand for truly immersive screens. The front camera will also undergo a size reduction to complement the clean aesthetics. Digital content gains absolute prominence in the user interface.

Two-nanometer Processador A20 boosts artificial intelligence

The transition to the new screen format directly depends on advances in processing power. The 2026 Pro models will receive the A20 chip. Taiwanese manufacturer TSMC will produce the component using the 2-nanometer lithography process. The new generation of semiconductors provides the computing power necessary to operate the hidden Face ID in an energy-efficient manner. The processor manages the complex image correction algorithms in real time.

The A20 chip delivers an estimated 20% increase in overall performance compared to its direct predecessor, the A18. The leap focuses on artificial intelligence. Natural language generation requires massive neural processing unit resources. Advanced hardware allows the smartphone to execute complex commands without relying on cloud servers. The change is structural.

Atualizações on battery, cameras and biometric security

The iPhone 18 Pro’s set of innovations extends beyond the screen and central processor. The device’s internal engineering includes profound modifications in power management and image capture. The manufacturer restructured fundamental components to support new hardware requirements.

  • The main rear camera has a variable aperture system adjustable between f/1.4 and f/4.0.
  • The optical mechanism offers greater flexibility for photography in low light environments.
  • The battery adopts cell stacking technology to optimize internal space.
  • The new energy storage format results in a 30% increase in energy density.

Stacked battery technology considerably extends the device’s daily usage autonomy. The gain in density compensates for the extra consumption generated by the advanced artificial intelligence functions and the high-brightness screen. The camera’s variable aperture brings the smartphone photography experience closer to dedicated professional equipment. The user gains physical control over depth of field and light input to the image sensor.

Estratégia market and launch schedule for 2026

Apple’s commercial planning establishes a segmented introduction of new technologies. The official launch of the iPhone 18 line will take place in the fall of 2026. Distribution will be gradual. The method allows the company to refine quality control processes in Asian factories. Inventory management of complex components requires rigorous logistics before mass production. The strategy avoids supply bottlenecks.

Supply chain projections indicate initial shipments of between two million and five million units for the full series. The Pro and Pro Max models will represent approximately 40% of this volume during the launch period. The percentage reflects the strong demand from the consumer public for cutting-edge features and design innovations. Premium category buyers tend to upgrade their devices within the first few weeks of retail availability.

The standard iPhone 18 models, which do not carry the Pro nomenclature, will follow a different technological path. Line input devices can have a combination of conventional Touch ID and Face ID. Offering multiple biometric security options serves a broader audience and keeps production costs under control. The clear segmentation of features reinforces the difference in value between the brand’s smartphone categories.

Luís Henrique Costa é jornalista formado pela FMU, editor-chefe e fundador do Mix Vale, portal de notícias em atividade desde 2013. Responde pela direção editorial do veículo, que cobre Brasil e mundo em economia, benefícios sociais, esportes, tecnologia, ciência e entretenimento. Atua na área há mais de 15 anos e lidera uma equipe de cerca de 15 colaboradores.

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