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Apple is constantly working on further developing the iPhone. The design, in particular, is set to be slimmer and more modern, with the goal of relocating the front camera and Face ID invisibly beneath the display. Rumors about this have been circulating for years, but a concrete date for this innovation has not yet been set. Recent reports from analysts and journalists such as Ross Young and Mark Gurman suggest that the new technology could arrive as early as 2026 or even as late as 2027. But what does this mean for future iPhone models, and how realistic is a true all-screen iPhone?
Apple established facial recognition as a secure alternative to fingerprint recognition with the introduction of Face ID in the iPhone X in 2017. Since then, the technology has evolved, but the notch—the cutout for sensors and cameras—remained an integral part of the design for a long time. With the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro, the notch became smaller and more interactive, but the ultimate goal remains a completely edge-to-edge display.
When will Face ID be available under the display?
Ross Young, a renowned display technology analyst, originally predicted that Apple would launch the first iPhones with under-display Face ID in 2025 with the iPhone 17 Pro models. However, in May 2024, he revised this assessment and postponed the launch to 2026 or later. Mark Gurman also believes that Apple will not be ready to move Face ID under the display until 2026 or 2027 at the earliest. Until then, the Dynamic Island will be further reduced, so that the Pro models will gradually have fewer visible sensors on the front (via Bloomberg).
How will the design change?
Face ID under the display doesn't necessarily mean a completely seamless iPhone. Even if Apple moves facial recognition under the display, the front camera will remain visible for the time being. A similar approach can already be seen on Android devices like the Google Pixel 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S25, which have a small camera bump in the display instead of a notch. In the long term, however, the iPhone is intended to have a true all-screen design. Ross Young is convinced that Apple is working on relocating both Face ID and the front camera invisibly under the display. Jony Ive, Apple's former design chief, had already described this idea as his ideal iPhone.
Technical challenges
The biggest hurdle for Face ID and the under-display camera is quality. Sensors must work flawlessly through the display without compromising facial recognition. Furthermore, camera quality must not suffer, as current under-display cameras often have issues with brightness, sharpness, and color reproduction. Apple will only adopt the technology once it works without compromise. This means that the rollout may take several years, even though Android manufacturers already offer similar solutions—Apple's quality standards are simply higher.
Why Apple is taking its time with under-display Face ID
An iPhone with under-display Face ID is planned, but not yet within reach. This technology could be introduced with the iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 19 Pro at the earliest—realistically, perhaps not until 2026 or 2027. Until then, Apple will likely continue working on reducing the size of the Dynamic Island. So, anyone waiting for an iPhone without visible sensors will need to be patient. But the direction is clear: Apple's long-term goal is to develop an iPhone whose entire front design consists solely of the display. (Photo by Unsplash+ / Andrej Lišakov)
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