The biggest challenge to implementing Face ID under the screen has been creating a channel for infrared (IR) light through the display components. Face ID employs IR light to scan and verify faces, but this type of light travels poorly through the different parts of a display. Apple has addressed this issue by using a method in which it selectively eliminated display subpixels to create paths for IR light transmission. This method relies on switching off single red, green, or blue subpixels with adjacent subpixels covering up the gaps to maintain display quality.
The patent also outlines modifications to the touch-sensitive mesh and horizontal and vertical control line optimizations to enable open areas without interruption. These are designed to reduce diffraction and enhance IR light transmission, thereby maintaining display quality while enabling more efficient facial recognition capability.
Initially, it was speculated that the under-display Face ID would debut first in iPhone 17 Pro models. However, the latest reports suggest that it will be delayed till 2026 for iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Even if they do incorporate under-display Face ID, these devices will also come with a pinhole at the top of the screen for a front camera as in newer Android devices.
The placement of Face ID under the screen is part of a larger effort by Apple to deploy an actual all-screen design. Insiders have said that iPhones someday could both feature under-display Face ID and an under-screen front-facing camera, although putting the camera under the screen is extremely technical challenging, particularly regarding image quality.
At the same time, Apple is also exploring under-display Face ID for other devices, such as its future-gen foldable iPad Pro. It is possible that this tech might implement just the IR projector under the display initially, while the camera might be added in future revisions. Apple’s rumored foldable iPad Pro is said to feature an 18.8-inch display, which is a pretty big departure from typical iPad sizes.
Apple’s commitment to Face ID as its primary biometric authentication tool is apparent, with Touch ID effectively discontinued from iPhones. The company’s emphasis on under-display Face ID indicates its ongoing efforts to make device design better while still setting high levels of facial recognition security. Despite the challenges, Apple’s progress in this area suggests that upcoming iPhones could have a more refined and more attractive design, which satisfies consumers’ needs for thinner, more integrated devices.
