The iPhone 17 generation – the Pro Max model, at least – is rumored to have a smaller Dynamic Island thanks to some metalens tech. However, the Dynamic Island will remain visible this year. Next year, however, with the iPhone 18 Pro series, things will start to change, reports the regular Weibo leakster account Digital Chat Station from China.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will have 6.27” and 6.86” OLED displays, respectively. Those will be LTPO panels with 1.5K resolution and will utilize HIAA technology for the selfie camera and an under-display Face ID system.
HIAA or “Hole-in-Active-Area” is the familiar punch hole design where part of the pixel matrix of the display is removed to give a camera lens below a clear view.
Face ID as introduced with the iPhone X
This is well established at this point, but the technology to move Face ID is not. Face ID is a combination of a projector (which beams a pattern of infrared light), a flood illuminator (also working in infrared) and a camera (to see the infrared light). This might or might not work with current under display camera tech since that is optimized for visible light, not infrared. However Apple solved this issue, it is allegedly already testing prototypes.
Such a move has been rumored for a long time now – as far back as the iPhone 15 generation. There were similar reports for subsequent models, including the iPhone 17 generation, but it’s not happening until next year. That is assuming no unexpected issues crop up, of course.