iPhone 18 Pro To Get Under-Display Face ID Ditching the Dynamic Island, Another Leak Confirms

Highlights

• Apple may introduce under-display Face ID and a hidden front camera in the iPhone 18 Pro series.
• It is expected to feature 6.27″ and 6.86″ LTPO OLED displays with 1.5K resolution, using HIAA tech to enable sensors beneath the screen.
• The Dynamic Island may disappear, though its UI could remain as a software element.
• Apple is reportedly testing working prototypes already.

Caption – Apple is reportedly developing under-display Face ID for iPhone 18 Pro and  Pro Max models. (Image credit – Apple)

Apple might be ready to make a big change to the iPhone’s display in 2026. A new leak from the reliable tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo claims that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will finally feature under-display Face ID along with a camera hidden beneath the screen. This would allow Apple to move towards a more seamless, full-screen look.

The tipster said that the iPhone 18 Pro will have a 6.27-inch OLED screen, while the Pro Max will go up to 6.86 inches. Both displays will use LTPO technology for smooth refresh rates and have 1.5K resolution.

Caption – Tipster Digital Chat Station’s post on Weibo. (Translated via Google Translate)

What makes this leak more interesting is Apple’s reported use of HIAA (Hole-in-Active-Area) tech. This allows certain parts of the screen to become see-through by removing some pixels, making it possible for sensors like Face ID to work from behind the display.

Rumours about under-display Face ID have been floating around for years. Analysts like Ross Young and earlier reports from The Information have also pointed to 2026 as the year Apple could make this move. Now, this latest leak supports that timeline.

If this pans out, the Dynamic Island that pill-shaped cutout introduced in recent models might finally disappear. However, Apple could still keep the Dynamic Island UI as a software element that appears only when needed.

There’s another interesting bit from The Information’s earlier report is that the front camera might shift to the top-left corner of the screen, similar to how many Android phones are laid out. This would be the first time an iPhone has an off-centre selfie camera.

It’s worth noting that Android brands like Samsung and ZTE have already tried under-display cameras. But Apple faces a bigger challenge as Face ID uses infrared components like a dot projector, flood illuminator, and IR camera, all of which are harder to hide behind a screen than a regular selfie cam.

According to the leak, Apple already has working prototypes in testing, which suggests it may have solved some of these issues.

Apple’s goal of eliminating the Dynamic Island isn’t new, it’s been rumoured since the iPhone 15. While the iPhone 17 Pro Max is still expected to have a smaller version of the Dynamic Island, a truly uninterrupted screen might finally arrive with the iPhone 18 series, if all goes as planned.

FAQs

Q1. What major design change is expected in the iPhone 18 Pro series?

Answer. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature under-display Face ID and a hidden front camera, eliminating the need for the Dynamic Island.

Q2. What display specifications are rumoured for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max?

Answer. The iPhone 18 Pro will have a 6.27-inch LTPO OLED screen, while the Pro Max will feature a 6.86-inch display, both with 1.5K resolution.

Q3. What technology will Apple use to enable under-display Face ID?

Answer. Apple is reportedly using HIAA (Hole-in-Active-Area) technology, which removes some pixels to allow sensors like Face ID to function beneath the screen.

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