Highlights
- Apple iPhone 16 Pro series may debut under-display Face ID in 2023.
- Shutdown of Coherent’s U.S. microchip plant hints at biometric changes.
- OLED panels for iPhone 16 Pro approved for mass production by Samsung and LG.
- All-screen iPhone predicted to arrive by 2027 with under-display Face ID and front camera.
The next-generation iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max from Apple may have a surprise that comes a lot sooner than initially expected: under-display Face ID.
A new report indicates that this biometric authentication refresh might actually debut this year, versus initial reports of 2025.
The clue came through an unlikely avenue – the shutdown of a U.S. microchip plant in Britain owned by Coherent.
Reports have it that the plant lost its biggest client – Apple itself.
Importantly, it manufactures parts for Face ID as it is currently known, so changes appear to be afoot for the next iPhone revision.
Aligning With Predictions
Interestingly, display analyst Ross Young had forecasted under-display Face ID for the iPhone 16 Pro lineup before revising expectations to 2025.
This shutdown of a British facility gives a lot of credence to his original 2023 timeline prediction.
An All-Screen Future
Young’s roadmap sees an all-screen iPhone finally landing in 2027 with the iPhone 19 Pro series, featuring both under-display Face ID and an under-panel front camera.
This evolutionary design path seems plausible if Apple is to introduce the under-display Face ID foundation this year.
OLED Panel Production Breakthrough
In yet another welcome bit of news for iPhone 16 Pro purchasers, both Samsung and LG are said to have gotten the green light to mass-produce the OLED panels going into the Pro models.
Having been able to secure enough supply in advance of the typical fall launch can help stave off stock shortages often associated with early Pro iPhone launches.
While Samsung has for some time been the solitary OLED supplier to Apple, LG has slowly closed the gap.
Indeed, the South Korean company is likely to share iPhone 16 Pro Max panel production with Samsung come June, while last year it had trailed its compatriot for the iPhone 15 Pro Max panels.
With under-display biometrics possibly innovative and other production milestones in place, the iPhone 16 Pro series is shaping up to be an attractive upgrade for iOS fans looking for a leading mobile experience.
Much more concrete is going to come out as launch approaches, fuelling anticipation.
APPLE IPHONE 16 PRO SPECIFICATIONS
Key Specs
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic |
| Rear Camera | 13 MP + 13 MP + 13 MP |
| Front Camera | 13 MP |
| Battery | 4700 mAh |
| Display | 6.25 inches (15.88 cm) |
General
| Launch Date | October 26, 2023 (Unofficial) |
| Operating System | iOS v16 |
Performance
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic |
| CPU | Hexa Core (3.464 GHz, Dual core, Everest + 2.02 GHz, Quad core, Sawtooth) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 4 nm |
| Graphics | Apple GPU (Five-core graphics) |
| RAM | 6 GB |
Display
| Display Type | OLED |
| Screen Size | 6.25 inches (15.88 cm) |
| Resolution | 1189 x 2546 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 450 ppi |
| Bezel-less display | Yes |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
Camera
| MAIN CAMERA | ||
| Camera Setup | Triple | |
| Resolution | 13 MP, Primary Camera 13 MP 13 MP |
|
| Autofocus | Yes | |
| Flash | Yes, LED Flash | |
| Image Resolution | 4128 x 3096 Pixels | |
| Settings | Exposure compensation, ISO control | |
| Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) |
|
| Camera Features | Digital Zoom Auto Flash Face detection |
|
| Video Recording | 1920×1080 @ 30 fps | |
| FRONT CAMERA | ||
| Camera Setup | Single | |
| Resolution | 13 MP, Primary Camera | |
| Video Recording | 1920×1080 @ 30 fps | |
Battery
| Capacity | 4700 mAh |
| Type | Li-Polymer |
| Removable | No |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Fast |
| USB Type-C | No |
Storage
| Internal Memory | 128 GB |
| Expandable Memory | No |
Network & Connectivity
| SIM Slot(s) | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| SIM Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: eSIM |
| Network Support | 5G Not Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| SIM 1 |
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| SIM 2 |
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n) |
| Wi-Fi Features | Mobile Hotspot |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.3 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| USB Connectivity | Mass storage device, USB charging |
Multimedia
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| Audio Jack | Lightning |
Sensors
| Fingerprint Sensor | No |
| Other Sensors | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
FAQs
What new feature is expected in the iPhone 16 Pro series?
The iPhone 16 Pro series is expected to feature under-display Face ID, a biometric authentication method that integrates Face ID technology beneath the display.
When is the iPhone 16 Pro series expected to launch?
The iPhone 16 Pro series is expected to launch this year, potentially earlier than initially anticipated, with under-display Face ID.
Why is the shutdown of Coherent’s U.S. microchip plant significant?
The shutdown of Coherent’s U.S. microchip plant in Britain suggests changes to Apple’s Face ID components, hinting at the introduction of under-display Face ID.
What are the predictions for future iPhone models regarding screen technology?
Analyst Ross Young predicts that an all-screen iPhone with both under-display Face ID and an under-panel front camera could arrive by 2027 with the iPhone 19 Pro series.
Which companies are producing the OLED panels for the iPhone 16 Pro?
Samsung and LG have received approval to mass-produce the OLED panels for the iPhone 16 Pro models, ensuring sufficient supply for the launch.
Have most iPhone 16 displays entered mass production ?
The Elec report states that this year’s production has been split between three suppliers as follows:
•Samsung will make displays for all four iPhone 16 models
•LG will make displays for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
•BOE will make displays for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
It says that Apple has given Samsung and LG the go-ahead for mass production of the iPhone 16 Pro screens.
It means that the same is true of BOE for the two base models, though The Elec is a Korean publication which focuses strongly on the two Korean suppliers, so this is not explicitly stated.
Have iPhone 16 Pro Max displays delayed ?
The report says that Apple has not yet approved mass production of displays for the iPhone 16 Pro Max – though it isn’t expected to take long.
The approval process for the mass production of iPhone 16 Pro Max OLED will be followed by Samsung Display and LG Display one after another soon.
It says that Samsung is expected to gain approval later this week, but LG is unlikely to pass quality controls until the middle of June.
It’s not clear why the Pro Max displays have proven a tougher challenge for the two Korean companies.
It has been reported that Apple is employing a new ultra-thin bezel tech known as Border Reduction Structure (BRS), and that suppliers experienced over-heating issues with this.
It may be that Samsung and LG found this especially challenging with the Pro Max display.
Both iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models are expected to have brighter displays.
Also Read: iPhone 16 to Get a Major RAM and Storage Upgrade for AI Capabilities
Also Read: iPhone 16 Pro Series Rumoured to Feature New Colours and Capture Button