Apple Tests Under-Display Face ID for iPhone 18

Apple is reportedly testing under-display Face ID technology for its upcoming iPhone 18 series, a development that could eliminate the prominent Dynamic Island cutout and deliver a cleaner front-facing display. The information stems from a recent leak on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, shared by the account Smart Pikachu, which has previously provided accurate details on smartphone supply chain matters.

The leak suggests Apple aims to integrate its TrueDepth camera system, responsible for facial recognition, beneath the OLED screen using a new microtransparent glass layer. This material would allow infrared light from the sensors to pass through without significant distortion, addressing a key technical hurdle. OLED displays traditionally block or scatter infrared wavelengths, complicating the 3D facial mapping that powers Face ID. Engineers are said to be refining both hardware components and software algorithms to maintain the system's reliability and security standards.

If implemented, the change would likely result in a smaller hole-punch opening for the front-facing selfie camera, positioned in the top-left corner of the screen, rather than a fully seamless design....