Apple’s next big design shift may finally be taking shape, with new leaks hinting that the company is testing technology that would allow Face ID to sit beneath the display for its upcoming iPhone 18 series. If the move goes ahead, it could bring one of the most noticeable changes to the front of the iPhone in years.
According to details shared on the Chinese platform Weibo, a tipster known as Smart Pikachu claims Apple is experimenting with a material described as “spliced micro-transparent glass.” This display layer is said to let infrared sensors operate through the screen without losing accuracy, making it possible to hide the Face ID system beneath the panel.
The leak also suggests Apple has asked suppliers to speed up development, a sign that internal testing may already be underway.
Mixed signals on Apple’s design direction
While the leak refers to the entire iPhone 18 lineup, it does not specify which models might receive the new system. If Apple adopts the technology, the change could shrink the Dynamic Island or remove it entirely, leaving only a small front camera cut-out, similar to designs already used by many Android makers.
However, reports remain divided. Earlier this year, The Information claimed the iPhone 18 Pro models could drop the Dynamic Island altogether and move to a pinhole camera placed in the top-left corner of the screen. Other leaks suggest Apple may instead keep the Dynamic Island but reduce its size rather than eliminate it.
Display analyst Ross Young has previously said under-display Face ID may arrive with the iPhone 18 Pro models, though he does not expect the Dynamic Island to vanish completely. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has also noted that Apple may opt for a slimmer version of the feature instead of a fully hidden Face ID system, at least in the early phase of adoption.
What to expect from the iPhone 18 launch
Apple is expected to introduce the iPhone 18 series in September, continuing its usual release schedule. Some reports claim certain models could slip to 2027, while the iPhone 18 Pro lineup may launch alongside Apple’s first foldable iPhone. The Pro versions are also rumoured to ship with a 2nm A20 chip and Apple’s own C2 modem, a move that could finally reduce the company’s reliance on Qualcomm for top-tier devices.
If the leaks prove accurate, the iPhone 18 series could mark the start of a major redesign, bringing Apple closer to the long-rumoured dream of a truly seamless front display.
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