Apple iPhone 18 Pro Design Upgrade Rumors Surface

Key Takeaways

1. Apple planned to reduce the size of the punch hole on the iPhone 18 Pro but not eliminate it entirely by 2026.
2. New prototypes aim to hide Face ID components under a special glass panel.
3. Infrared sensors for Face ID will be placed beneath the screen to enhance security against tricks.
4. Production challenges may hinder the timely delivery of the new Face ID module with the iPhone 18 Pro.
5. The iPhone 18 Pro will still have a pill-shaped punch hole, albeit smaller, and full-screen designs without cutouts are not expected.

Back in 2023, a display expert mentioned that the Apple iPhone 18 series might have a tinier punch hole by 2026. This was because Apple planned to put some sensors needed for the 3D facial recognition feature, known as Face ID, underneath the screen. However, recent reports from both analysts and tipsters indicate that Apple’s schedule has changed, and the punch hole on the iPhone 18 Pro will only become a little smaller.

New Developments on Prototypes

A post on Weibo from the well-known leaker Smart Pikachu, who has accurately shared details about Apple’s future products before, now states that the current prototypes of the iPhone 18 series are designed to hide these components by placing them beneath a new kind of glass panel. Specifically, this pertains to the infrared sensors that Apple uses to perform a 3D scan of the user’s face, preventing Face ID from being tricked by a simple printed photo.

Production Challenges Ahead

Apple’s suppliers might be trying to accelerate the production of these components, but it’s still unclear if Apple will be able to deliver this new Face ID module with the iPhone 18 Pro. Since it’s not likely that Apple will put the selfie camera or all the Face ID sensors under the display, the pill-shaped punch hole of the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to remain, although it will likely be smaller. In the meantime, a display with no cutouts, like the one on the Nubia RedMagic 11 Pro, is not anticipated.

Smart Pikachu (Weibo)

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