More clues about the hidden Face ID under the screen on the iPhone 18

A new report from the supply chain once again puts the spotlight on the iPhone 18 ProApple is reportedly testing a hidden Face ID system under the screen using a "microtransparent" glass capable of passing through the information necessary for facial recognition without resorting to a notch or the current Dynamic Island. If confirmed, the 2026 Pro model would be the first to take a clear step in that direction. iPhone almost all screen that many users have been waiting for years since the launch of the iPhone X.

How would this new under-display Face ID work?

According to these leaks, Apple would be using a kind of integrated microperforated or microtransparent glass window in the panelDesigned to allow the TrueDepth system's infrared emitters and receivers to work without losing accuracy, Apple's goal, unlike other manufacturers' solutions, is to maintain the same level of security and speed as the current Face ID. This means the unlocking experience for the user would remain just as immediate, but with a much cleaner front and fewer visible elements.

One more step towards the "all-screen" iPhone

The arrival of under-display Face ID doesn't necessarily mean that Dynamic Island disappears overnightBecause the front-facing camera still needs its own space. However, rumors point to a considerable reduction in the visible area, which could be reduced to a simple hole for the camera or a smaller, more discreet island. In practice, this would allow for more content to be displayed at the top of the screen and would bring the iPhone's design even closer to that continuous sheet of glass that Apple has been pursuing for several generations.

Rumors that contradict each other… but that fit into the roadmap

In recent months we have seen Conflicting reports on the Face ID under-display scheduleSome spoke of delays beyond the iPhone 18, while others positioned it as a major new feature in the 2026 Pro lineup. This new report aligns with the latter and describes an advanced stage of development, with suppliers preparing for production. Even so, these are still just rumors, and Apple could adjust or delay the feature if performance doesn't meet its standards, something that has happened before with other display technologies.

What would change for iPhone 18 Pro users?

For the end user, the biggest change would be in the design and the feel of everyday use. A clearer front means more room for content.And an aesthetic closer to what many consider the "future" of the smartphone. In practical terms, Apple would maintain the same gesture for unlocking, paying with Apple Pay, or using Face ID in apps, so there would be no learning curve. The leap forward would be that all of this would happen almost invisibly, without the hardware stealing the show on the screen.