According to a recent leak shared on Chinese social media, Apple is testing a new “micro-transparent glass” layer, that would allow it to debut under-display Face ID in next year’s iPhone 18 Pro (via MacRumors).
The leak originated from a Weibo account known as “Smart Pikachu,” which has a track record of accurate supply-chain disclosures related to smartphone hardware. The same source claims that the required suppliers are already ramping up preparations for what could become a major redesign of the front-facing display.
If the new design becomes a reality, the iPhone 18 Pro line may abandon the current pill-shaped cutout or “Dynamic Island” in favor of a much cleaner display. Under this configuration, the only visible disruption would be a small hole-punch for the selfie camera, likely positioned in the top-left corner of the screen.
Making Face ID work beneath an OLED display is no small feat. Face ID relies on projecting infrared light and capturing a 3D depth map of the user’s face. But OLED panels typically block or scatter infrared light, which complicates face scanning behind the display.
Apple is now said to be testing a new “micro-transparent glass” layer that would allow its TrueDepth infrared sensors to work through the screen without distorting facial recognition. Industry analysts say Apple must fine-tune both hardware and software, possibly reworking display materials and recalibrating Face ID algorithms, to preserve reliability and security.
It would not be the first time Apple considered under-screen Face ID. Rumors about an all-glass uninterrupted front have floated around since early 2025, with many expecting the feature to land on the iPhone 18 Pro series.
Reportedly, the standard iPhone 18 and the more affordable iPhone 18e models will continue using the current display cutouts for sensors and camera.
Some analysts and supply-chain insiders suggest that if all goes well, the iPhone 18 Pro could launch with this new design in September 2026, as part of Apple’s next-generation hardware roadmap.