Apple's long-anticipated transition to under-display Face ID technology is now increasingly likely to debut in its iPhone 18 Pro lineup, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the company's plans. The development signals the potential end of the Dynamic Island and the pill-shaped cutout currently housing biometric sensors.
The latest confirmation came during the SID Business Conference, where OTI Lumionics CEO Michael Helander said smartphones utilizing their under-panel Face ID materials would be available for sale in 2026. Display industry analyst Ross Young, known for accurate forecasts on Apple hardware, stated, "This suggests that iPhone 18 Pro models will have under panel Face ID with other brands and models to follow."
Reports of Apple's push to integrate Face ID beneath the screen date back years and were supported by company patents. The key technical hurdle-infrared light's difficulty in passing through display panels-was reportedly solved by selectively removing subpixels in a way that remains visually undetectable to users.
Earlier this month, The Information reported that the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max would eliminate the current pill-shaped cutout in favor of a single punch-hole design for the front-facing camera. The Face ID sensors would be placed entirely beneath the screen, marking a major redesign milestone for Apple.
"The design of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will include only a small hole cutout in the top-left corner to accommodate the front-facing camera," Wayne Ma of The Information reported, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter.
Apple has not publicly commented on the reports. The iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to be released in September 2026.
Ross Young's latest commentary builds on earlier disclosures and aligns with Apple's rumored strategy to streamline its front display design while preserving Face ID functionality. The change could lead to the discontinuation of the Dynamic Island feature, which was introduced as a way to repurpose the display space used by biometric hardware. However, no final decision on the Dynamic Island's fate has been confirmed.
Apple's rumored redesign would place it ahead of key rivals in terms of biometric integration, particularly Samsung, which is currently focused on thin-body foldables and triple-folding display concepts. Meanwhile, Apple is also reported to be preparing a foldable iPhone for release in late 2026 or early 2027.
