In April 2023, display industry analyst Ross Young shared a roadmap indicating that iPhone 17 Pro would feature under-display Face ID.

However, in May 2024, he revised his prediction, stating that the technology had been delayed until 2026. If this holds true, under-display Face ID is likely to debut on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max next year.

Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, in his latest Power On newsletter, provided a similar timeframe. He speculated that by 2026 or 2027, iPhone Pro models would feature a smaller Dynamic Island, as Apple continues integrating more components beneath the display.

Recent reports, including a March 11 post on X by leaker @mxphone, claim Apple is developing metalens technology - a type of ultra-thin lens - to facilitate under-display Face ID. This advancement could shrink TrueDepth sensors, enabling seamless integration beneath the display without compromising facial recognition accuracy.

Leaks about this technology have also been linked to an 18.8-inch foldable iPad Pro, but many speculate it will be applied to iPhones in the near future.

Technological challenges

Transitioning Face ID beneath the display poses significant hurdles, particularly in maintaining the infrared sensor and TrueDepth camera accuracy when operating through an OLED panel.

Unlike Android's under-display fingerprint scanners, Face ID employs a 3D mapping system with over 30,000 infrared points, making the technology far more complex to embed beneath the screen.

Given recent leaks, it is likely that iPhone 17 will retain a Dynamic Island design, possibly with size reductions or feature enhancements. However, under-display Face ID is unlikely to appear this year.

What to expect from iPhone 18 Pro?

Even with under-display Face ID, iPhone 18 Pro may still feature a small punch-hole cutout for the front camera, similar to current Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 models.

Previously, Ross Young speculated that Apple might aim to integrate both Face ID and the front camera beneath the display. If achieved, this would mark a significant step toward a true full-screen iPhone, fulfilling the vision of former Apple design chief Jony Ive.

At present, Apple has not officially confirmed when under-display Face ID will be introduced. However, given ongoing research advancements and competitive market pressures, this innovation is almost certain to arrive in the coming years, possibly starting in 2026, as predicted by industry experts.

Hai Phong