Apple rarely signals its next move in advance, yet rumours around the iPhone 18 Pro point to a significant shift: Face ID hidden beneath the screen. If accurate, the change would push Apple closer to its long-held goal of making the iPhone feel like a single, uninterrupted surface rather than a collection of visible components.
Apple has worked towards this idea for years. The notch introduced with the iPhone X divided opinion but enabled Face ID, which quickly became central to the iPhone experience. The Dynamic Island later reframed that compromise as a feature. Under-screen Face ID suggests Apple now believes it can remove the compromise altogether.
This is not merely a cosmetic tweak. Face ID depends on a precise array of sensors that prioritise speed, accuracy and security. Hiding them beneath the display introduces technical risk, which makes the rumour notable. Apple typically moves only when it is confident a technology can meet its standards, rather than being first to market.
Other manufacturers have already tried under-display cameras and biometric systems, often with uneven results. Apple’s approach has historically been to wait, refine and then deliver a more reliable version. Its decision to persist with Face ID while rivals rushed under-screen fingerprint sensors reflects that philosophy.
A cleaner display would subtly change how people use their phones. Reading, watching video and editing photos all benefit from fewer visual interruptions. Over time, these refinements shape daily habits, much like the shift to slimmer bezels transformed laptops from bulky tools into truly portable devices.
The implications extend beyond design. If Apple succeeds, it sets a new benchmark for premium smartphones, influencing suppliers, developers and accessory makers. It also raises questions about trust. Does an invisible biometric system feel more secure, or less? Apple’s emphasis on on-device privacy suggests it would address that concern head-on.
If the iPhone 18 Pro does adopt under-screen Face ID, it will signal Apple’s growing confidence in technology that disappears into the background. The device may look simpler, but the ambition behind it is anything but.
Author: Victor Olowomeye