Apple's iPhone 18 Series: The End of Notch Era? A Fresh Leak Reveals Under-Display Face ID
Apple fans, brace yourselves! A recent leak from a reliable Chinese source suggests that the iPhone 18 series, set to launch in 2026, might just be the game-changer we've been waiting for. According to the leak, Apple is actively testing an innovative in-screen Face ID technology, marking a potential shift away from the familiar notch design.
The leaker, known as 'Smart Pikachu' on Weibo, has a track record of accurate predictions regarding Chinese Android supply chains. This time, they claim Apple is experimenting with a 'spliced micro-transparent glass' solution. This clever technology integrates a tiny transparent window into the display panel, allowing infrared light from the TrueDepth sensor array to pass through with minimal distortion. The rest of the screen remains unaffected, ensuring a seamless user experience.
This approach is similar to existing methods used by Android manufacturers to hide IR-based face-unlock sensors under the screen, with micro-perforated or nano-etched glass techniques.
The leak further suggests that Apple's testing has spurred component suppliers to accelerate their preparations for potential mass production. This aligns with a growing trend of rumors predicting the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models will feature under-display Face ID. Interestingly, the Dynamic Island is expected to shrink significantly, as only the front-facing camera will require a visible cutout, while the TrueDepth sensors seamlessly move beneath the panel.
Display analyst Ross Young and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman have both forecasted a notably smaller pill-shaped Dynamic Island on the 2026 Pro models. Additionally, an earlier report from The Information hinted that Apple might reduce it to a single pinhole in the upper-left corner.
While the leak doesn't explicitly confirm the feature for all iPhone 18 models, early-stage panel testing typically begins with high-end devices. If successful, 2026 could witness the end of the notch era, marking the full realization of an almost all-screen iPhone front. This development comes four years after Android flagships first introduced similar under-display Face ID solutions.
But here's the twist: Will this innovation spark a revolution in the smartphone industry, or will it face challenges in implementation? The discussion is open, and we eagerly await Apple's official confirmation.
