Rumors about Apple’s future iPhone designs continue to swirl, with a new leak suggesting the company is working to integrate Face ID sensors entirely under the display for its 2026 flagship models. According to anonymous sources familiar with Apple’s prototyping process, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will eliminate the current Dynamic Island notch, replacing it with a seamless under-panel TrueDepth camera system. This advancement would mark the first major redesign of Apple’s facial recognition hardware since its 2017 debut.
The leak, shared via a Weibo account linked to supply chain analysts, also claims Apple is revisiting a “familiar but old” design language for the iPhone 18 series. While details remain sparse, insiders speculate this could involve reviving elements from the iPhone 4 or iPhone X era, such as flat stainless steel edges or a smaller overall footprint. The move aligns with Apple’s pattern of blending cutting-edge technology with nostalgic aesthetics, as seen in recent products like the 24-inch iMac.
Balancing Innovation and Nostalgia
Apple’s push to hide Face ID sensors beneath the display follows years of incremental updates to its smartphone lineup. Rivals like Samsung and Xiaomi have already introduced under-display cameras in select devices, though with mixed results in terms of image quality. Apple’s challenge lies in maintaining the precision of its existing Face ID system while minimizing the visibility of camera cutouts. Early prototypes reportedly use advanced pixel-shifting technology to allow light to pass through the OLED screen unobstructed.
Meanwhile, the company appears to be rethinking its release strategy. A recent report from The Information highlights Apple’s plans to shake up its iPhone launch timeline, potentially introducing new models at different times of the year. This shift could help the tech giant better compete with Android manufacturers rolling out devices year-round.
iPhone 17 Series Sets the Stage
Before the iPhone 18 Pro arrives, Apple is expected to debut radical changes with 2025’s iPhone 17 lineup. Leaked schematics suggest the iPhone 17 Ultra will feature a titanium frame and a periscope zoom lens, while the rumored iPhone 17 Air aims to “redefine slimness” with a 5.5mm-thick design. These models could serve as testbeds for technologies later refined in the iPhone 18 Pro, including advanced thermal management for Apple’s in-house 2nm A-series chips.
Industry analysts caution that Apple’s under-display Face ID ambitions face significant technical hurdles. “Integrating infrared dot projectors and flood illuminators under the screen without compromising security or display quality is no small feat,” says Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young. Still, if successful, the iPhone 18 Pro could deliver the true “all-screen” design Apple enthusiasts have craved since the original iPhone X.
As always, Apple has remained silent on speculation, but with Chinese social media platforms like Weibo buzzing about leaked CAD renders, anticipation for the 2026 lineup is already building. Whether the iPhone 18 Pro becomes a triumph of innovation or a callback to classic iPhones of yore, one thing is certain: Apple isn’t done redefining the smartphone.
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