Apple could finally be preparing to hide Face ID sensors beneath the screen – but don’t get too excited about a completely clear display just yet. According to the usually-reliable industry analyst Ross Young, Apple is planning to introduce under-screen Face ID with next year’s iPhone 18 Pro. That means the “Dynamic Island” cut-out, first introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro to house Face ID components, could shrink down to a single, tiny hole for the front-facing camera.
While this would free up more screen space and remove distractions when viewing full-screen content, it could also risk making future iPhones look a little too similar to older Android devices. Single-hole cutouts for selfie cameras have been standard fare on Android phones for years, and Apple might be hesitant to lose the iconic pill-box shape that makes iPhone stand out from the crowd.
Even with Face ID neatly hidden, the selfie camera isn’t ready to vanish under the screen quite yet. Current under-display camera technology tends to compromise image quality, something Apple likely won’t accept until the results match today’s clear selfies. And of course, Apple won’t push ahead unless Face ID remains just as secure and reliable beneath the display as it is now.
So while fewer interruptions to your screen experience sound great, Apple may proceed cautiously. We’ll be interested to know how the company’s R&D team puts its stamp on the next generation of devices!