A recent report claims that Apple is actively testing under-screen Face ID technology for next year’s iPhone 18 Pro models. According to a Chinese tipster, the system uses a specially spliced micro-transparent glass window integrated directly into the display panel.
This transparent section allows infrared light from the sensor array to pass through with minimal distortion, enabling Face ID functionality while keeping the rest of the display unchanged. If finalized, this would mark Apple’s first major step toward a completely notch-free and hole-free front design.
According to a post shared by a leaker known as Smart Pikachu on Weibo, Apple has begun testing a new display design that could enable Face ID sensors to operate under the OLED panel. The report (via MacRumors) suggests the company is using a “spliced micro-transparent glass” layer within the display. This component would allow infrared sensors from the TrueDepth camera system to scan a user’s face without interference from the screen.
The technology, still in testing, aims to make the Face ID system work seamlessly beneath the display. It must ensure the infrared projection can accurately map the user’s facial features for authentication. Although Apple has not confirmed any such project, the company has reportedly asked suppliers to speed up preparations for production, which suggests that the feature could be in an advanced stage of development.