iPhone 18 could get the design upgrade we’ve been waiting years for

Apple is pushing the boundaries of smartphone design with a new patent that could pave the way for entirely under-display Face ID technology. The patent, titled “Methods and Configurations for Improving the Performance of Sensors Under a Display,” reveals a clever approach to embedding Face ID sensors beneath the screen without compromising the device’s aesthetics or functionality.

The concept involves strategically removing one subpixel from each pixel in the display. Typically, a pixel consists of four subpixels—one red, one blue, and two green. By eliminating one subpixel per pixel, the patent suggests creating small gaps that allow infrared light from Face ID sensors to pass through. To maintain visual consistency, the removed subpixels vary across pixels, ensuring no noticeable color imbalances or gaps appear on the screen.

The patent, filed in March 2020 and granted on Jan. 14, 2025, also proposes modifying the touchscreen layer to further enhance sensor performance. By removing sections of this layer, Apple aims to reduce obstructions between the sensors and the user’s face, improving accuracy and reliability.

The move toward under-display Face ID addresses a long-standing design challenge: the notch or Dynamic Island, which houses the current Face ID system. While these cutouts have become familiar to iPhone users, they occupy valuable screen real estate. Integrating the sensors beneath the display would eliminate the need for such intrusions, resulting in a sleeker, more immersive viewing experience.

However, patents don’t always translate into real-world products, and if they do, the process can take years. This technology is unlikely to debut in the rumored iPhone 17 series, expected later this year. Instead, it’s more plausible that Apple could introduce under-display Face ID in the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, as the company often reserves cutting-edge features for its Pro models before expanding them across its lineup.

While the timeline remains uncertain, the patent marks a significant step forward in Apple’s quest to create a truly edge-to-edge display. For now, iPhone enthusiasts will have to wait patiently to see if this innovative approach becomes a reality in future devices.