Apple Plans Radical Innovation for Face ID

June 20, 2025, 5:57 am | Read time: 3 minutes

Even before the iPhone 17 was unveiled, initial details about its successor have already leaked. Apple is reportedly planning a radical design change for the iPhone 18 Pro’s display. According to insiders, the company might hide the Face ID sensors beneath the screen for the first time in 2026—a significant step toward a completely bezel-less anniversary model in 2027.

According to the reliable leaker “Digital Chat Station,” Apple is already testing the new Face ID concept for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. The sensors are expected to be hidden under the display. The goal is to visually align with modern Android flagships and maximize the screen area on the iPhone.

Invisible Face ID in iPhone 18 Just the First Step

For a long time, the Face ID sensors were part of the so-called notch, a cutout at the top of the display where Apple also housed the front camera. With the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple switched from the notch to Dynamic Island, which allows for additional functions. However, Apple seems to be moving away from that in the long term. The company is reportedly testing a hidden 3D facial recognition system that, despite invisible hardware, is supposed to capture precise depth information through infrared projection. This would make the visible Dynamic Island element unnecessary.

The notch or Dynamic Island is unlikely to disappear entirely with the iPhone 18 generation expected in 2026. The front camera is still expected to remain as a visible punch hole. This transitional solution, in the form of a small, circular cutout, resembles the design of many Android devices. A complete integration of the camera under the display is expected for the iPhone 19 in 2027. Then, Apple could present a seamless, bezel-less display without any cutouts.

Read also: How Dynamic Island Works

Technical Challenges in Implementation

Implementing the currently discussed plans could pose challenges for Apple. Particularly, the Face ID technology requires precise calibration of hardware and software to avoid optical losses through the display. While Face ID is based on infrared light, the selfie camera requires visible light, which makes integration significantly more difficult. Nevertheless, Apple is said to have already made progress, so a notch-free display could become a reality in 2026.

In addition to the display revolution, a new chip based on 2-nanometer technology is also being discussed for the iPhone 18 Pro. This chip is expected to not only boost performance but also improve energy efficiency, which could positively impact battery life.

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iPhone 17 Initially in Focus

First, however, the iPhone 17 is set for fall 2025, which is rumored to bring a slightly revised rear design. Despite initial hints about the iPhone 18, it remains uncertain whether Apple can stick to its schedule, as display innovations have often failed due to technical hurdles in the past.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.