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Apple is reportedly testing an in-screen Face ID system for the iPhone 18 family — a move that could shrink the pill-shaped TrueDepth cutout to a single punch-hole on next year’s premium iPhones. Early leaks hint at a design shift that pairs under-display sensors with a subtly transparent glass treatment.
Under the display: how Apple might hide Face ID
According to recent leaks circulating on Weibo and other rumor hubs, Apple is experimenting with embedding the TrueDepth components beneath the OLED panel by splicing micro-transparent glass into the display stack. The goal is obvious: a cleaner, more immersive front with far thinner bezels and fewer visible cutouts. If the tests succeed, the high-end iPhone 18 models could show just a single punch-hole camera while the authentication sensors live under the panel.
Why micro-transparent glass matters
Placing cameras or biometric modules under the screen has been attempted by several Android makers, but the approach brings trade-offs. A screen layer that’s partially transparent helps light reach the sensor and keeps the display visually uniform, yet it can degrade image quality and affect Face ID’s reliability. That’s where Apple’s software could make a difference — advanced signal processing, AI and sensor fusion might offset hardware limits, but triple-checked accuracy will be essential for a security feature like Face ID.
Design ripple effects: fewer models, bolder changes
This rumored front-panel makeover comes amid other reported shifts in Apple’s roadmap. Sources say Apple is rethinking its lineup strategy, balancing foldable ambitions with a streamlined flagship offering. The iPhone 18 series might see major front-and-back design changes, including a slightly translucent back glass and a move away from the two-tone finish.
- What to expect: In-screen Face ID in testing, possible punch-hole front camera on high-end models.
- Potential trade-offs: Reduced front camera image quality and the technical challenge of accurate facial recognition through a display.
- Timeline: Tests are ongoing; iPhone 18 is slated for a 2026 launch window, while an entirely cutout-free “full-screen” model is rumored to target 2027.
A peek at Apple's longer-term play
Beyond the iPhone 18 rumors, reports claim Apple may name its 2027 milestone phone iPhone 20 — skipping "19" to mark the 20th anniversary — and deliver a truly cutout-free display. If true, the iPhone 18 tests could be a step toward that full-screen vision: validating under-display sensors, refining micro-transparent materials and teaching software to read signals through layers of OLED.
For now, these details remain leaks and educated speculation. But the direction is clear: Apple wants a cleaner front-face aesthetic, and in-screen Face ID is one of the most visible ways to get there. Whether Apple can match Face ID’s current speed and security while hiding its hardware remains the key question — and one to watch as we move toward next year’s announcements.
Source: wccftech
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