Highlights
- New supply chain leak points to under-display 3D Face ID for iPhone 18
- Apple reportedly tests “micro-transparent glass” to hide biometric hardware
- Dynamic Island may disappear sooner than expected
- New report suggests accelerated timelines for a 2026 launch
A major design shift takes shape
Apple’s long-running goal of delivering a clean, uninterrupted display is edging closer to reality. A new supply chain report indicates the iPhone 18 is being tested with invisible Face ID components, marking the company’s biggest design shift since the notch first appeared.
The latest leak claims Apple is evaluating under-display 3D technology, a system that would allow Face ID sensors to work beneath the screen rather than through the Dynamic Island.
Dynamic Island may be on its way out
The report suggests the transition could arrive faster than expected. According to the leak, Apple is experimenting with micro-transparent glass, the component needed to allow infrared sensors to function through the display without light scattering.
If testing continues at the current pace, Apple appears ready to phase out visible cutouts in the 2026 lineup, replacing the Dynamic Island with a fully seamless front panel.
Why this tech is harder than it looks
Under-display cameras already exist on Android devices, including foldables and gaming phones, but the image quality has varied due to pixel interference and haze over the camera area.
Apple faces a tougher puzzle. Instead of hiding a simple selfie camera, the company is attempting to conceal an entire 3D biometric system. Any distortion in the infrared dot pattern compromises accuracy and security, which has been the main barrier preventing Apple from adopting the feature sooner.
The new leak indicates the supply chain is accelerating development, suggesting the reliability issues that held the feature back may finally be close to resolution.
A clean display brings design trade-offs
A complete all-screen design would mark a milestone for Apple, but it also raises questions about software. The Dynamic Island turned a hardware limitation into a multitasking tool used for alerts, music controls, and live updates.
If the iPhone 18 removes the Island entirely, those features will need a new home, or Apple may rethink how that interaction works altogether.
Still, if the company delivers an uninterrupted display without the visual compromises seen on current under-display cameras, the move could set a new standard for premium phones. As with previous design shifts, the upgrade is likely to debut on higher-end models before it reaches the entire lineup.
