iPhone 18 Pro Leak Reveals A Massive Shift For The Under-Display Face ID Camera

Samsung, Huawei, Redmi, and a range of other major mobile brands have all opted for discreet ways to integrate their front-facing cameras. Apple’s iPhone, on the other hand, is well-known for its iconic notch/dynamic island, an aesthetic choice that easily sets the brand apart from others with just a single glance.

However, the downside to this is that users lose out on a full-screen experience. A recent report just revealed a leak regarding the iPhone 18 Pro’s design that will change the iPhone user experience for good.

The Privacy Pivot: Why Consumers Are Demanding Discretion

Apple will retire the Dynamic Island by hiding the Face ID sensors and selfie camera beneath the screen, providing a discreet new design. Although this has been a design choice the company has been exploring for a while, it can be argued that the timing of this has been largely influenced by the broader consumer shift to privacy being a non-negotiable. This also perfectly aligns with Apple’s new positioning as a privacy-first tech giant.

This effort is being made for technology that is “invisible” to comply with consumer demands and provide a product where they do not feel like they are constantly being watched. This can be seen across the entire mobile user market, within various spheres from social media to leisure. A good example of this is Signal, a messaging app that has end-to-end encryption and keeps all users’ chats and information completely private. Privacy-conscious entertainment is another instance of this, and can be seen with the emergence of VPN-friendly platforms.

For instance, more and more casino platforms are going the privacy-first route and integrating VPNs. If youcompare operators allowing VPN options, you’ll notice features like enhanced privacy, little to no KYC verifications, and access to thousands of games from anywhere in the world. In the productivity sphere, ProtonMail is another great Swiss-based use case for privacy, with automatic zero-access and end-to-end encryption. Overall, anonymity, protection of sensitive data, and a lack of information tracking have all become non-negotiable.

Decoding the Under-Display Face ID Tech

While many might wonder why such a large mobile brand would take so long to develop this feature, the issue lies in the complexity of the tech involved. Apple, in essence, needs to somehow balance the transparency of the device’s screen pixels, the display quality, and the Face ID infrared sensors. For the sensors to work correctly and still accurately read the user’s face, the pixels would need to be transparent enough. However, it cannot be so transparent that it reduces the display quality of the device, which proves tricky. This is why it is onlyexpected with the iPhone 18 Pro in late 2026.

Although the rumors of this development have been floating around for years, it would seem an actual, practical implementation plan has been hatched. In comparison, Samsung’s Fold series has managed to successfully achieve these under-display cameras, which have done wonders for the user experience. It makes Apple seem late to the party, but the tech giant has much higher standards for their front-facing cameras. Whereas Samsung has Face ID unlock as an option, the brand mainly relies on its under-display fingerprint scanners. However, Apple only has Face ID, causing a delay in their version of an under-display camera, as it quite literally needs to be perfect.

What Happens to the Interface?

Without the physical island taking up a large portion of the screen, it raises a very valid question regarding the corresponding software. The dynamic island option, for instance, has been turned into an interactive hub that provides the user with alerts and can be used for background and Live Activities. This intuitive design ensures that the software shrinks and expands in alignment with the camera cutout, conveniently displaying calls, music controls, and an array of other navigation options.

This can be thought of as a tiny hub made for seamless multitasking. In removing this, these Live Activities would need to be adapted differently, and iOS might just borrow from its competitors. Samsung’s Now Bar is a good example of this, providing a dynamic strip at the bottom of the lock screen that can be customized based on user preferences. Beyond this, the removal of the island also allows for full-screen immersion, which comes with some great benefits. This is especially true where gaming and media consumption are concerned, as there will be no interruptions.

Broader Hardware Predictions for the iPhone 18

Although the iPhone 18 series might only be released in late 2026 or early 2027, tech experts are already speculating on what broader hardware upgrades the device will get. It is no secret that up to this point, iPhone users have grown tired of the monotonous design of each new device and demand something new; features that make them look forward to unboxing the latest iPhone.

Apple has somewhat complied with this request, with early reports providing some insight into what users can expect from the iPhone 18 Pro Max specifically. One highly anticipated (potential) feature is the 48MP Fusion camera that will have a variable aperture. Simply put, this will allow for better night photography, natural bokeh effects, and increased depth of field. Another point of complaint for iPhone users has been the rather unimpressive battery life each device comes with.

While no exact figures have been confirmed, Apple has alluded to an increased battery capacity for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, especially compared to the 17 Pro Max, which has a 5088mAh battery. Anything higher than this will be an amazing upgrade. Storage is another huge point of contention, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to start at 256GB of internal storage, with the options for users to go all the way up to 2TB, which is perfect for storing those 4K and 8K videos. Of course, these are only a few upgrades that are expected, butthere are many more for users to look forward to.

A New Era for Apple Design

Overall, the upcoming iPhone 18 series could see one of the biggest design overhauls for the device series since the iPhone X, which is exciting. The removal of the dynamic island is but one step in the right direction, with many more to follow. However, while these leaks are compelling, Apple still has a long way to go, so plans could very well change.