Latest Leaks: Apple Is Testing Face ID Below Screen For IPhone 18 Pro

JAKARTA - Apple is reportedly actively testing the Face ID system under the screen on the prototype iPhone 18 Pro model which only has one small camera hole (hole-punch) on its screen. This was revealed by a leaker from China Ming-Chi Kuo on Monday, April 5.

A Weibo-based account called Digital Chat Station states that Apple is testing under-screen 3D facial recognition technology for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, which is expected to launch next year.

This leaker is known to have sources in Apple's supply chain, as evidenced by some previous leaks that proved accurate. Its latest claim also strengthens a report from The Information last weekend stating that the iPhone 18 Pro "two generations after the current series" is likely to come with Face ID technology under the screen. There will only be one small hole in the top left corner of the screen for the front camera.

Face ID technology under the scenes is a complex engineering challenge, as Apple has to embed infrared-based facial recognition sensors under OLED panels without reducing its accuracy or reliability.

Unlike ordinary front cameras, Face ID works by projecting and reading thousands of infrared light dots to create a map of the depth of the user's face. However, OLED panels naturally block or spread most of the infrared light, making it difficult for the system to function optimally if placed under the screen.

To overcome this, Apple is most likely testing a method so that more IR light can penetrate certain parts of the screen, while minimizing distortion and maintaining image quality. This most likely requires overhauling hardware components and software algorithms in order to offset optical signal loss and interference. Apple should also ensure the performance and security of this new system is equivalent to Face IDs that are currently present before being widely launched.

Meanwhile, for the front camera, Apple is said to use one HIAA (Hole-In-Active-Area) hole in the active area of the screen. HIAA is a screen manufacturing technique developed by Samsung and other screen manufacturers, which allows for front camera integration in OLED panels without compromising a lot of screen space. This technique is done by drilling microholes in precision in active pixel areas using lasers.

According to the Digital Chat Station, the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Air models will continue to use two front sensor holes and one camera hole as they are today, hidden in the Dynamic Island feature. Apple is also rumored to be launching the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e in the spring of 2027 six months after the launch of the iPhone 18 Pro model as part of an updated iPhone annual launch strategy. This has also been confirmed by well-known industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.