Apple plans to include an under-display Face ID system starting with its 2023 iPhones, removing the need to house the facial recognition system in a notch, according to well-respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Since its debut with the iPhone X, the notch has served primarily to house the TrueDepth camera system which enables Face ID. While Apple is rumored to be planning a smaller notch for the 2021 iPhones, presumably, if the tech giant is able to house the facial recognition system under the display, it would remove the need for a notch entirely.
Kuo had also previously stated that at least one high-end iPhone model in 2023 will feature an under-display fingerprint scanner with no notch and a real full-screen display. Kuo provides no specifics with today's note on whether Apple would offer both an under-display Touch ID and Face ID system, or whether under-display Face ID will remain exclusive to the higher-end iPhones.
Apple has widely been rumored to adopt an under-display fingerprint scanner, even possibly for the iPhone 13. However, this is the first time we've heard of a possible under-display Face ID system. From a technological standpoint, achieving an under-display facial recognition system requires more advanced tooling, given that the TrueDepth camera system must be able to read and recognize faces through the pixels of the display without distorting or interfering with the content.
Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall.
At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface.
The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas.
Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial
The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging."
Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs.
We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else.
iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
Following the announcement of Apple's upcoming "Awe dropping" event, on this week's episode of The MacRumors Show we talk through all of the new accessories rumored to debut alongside the iPhone 17 lineup.
Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos
We take a closer look at Apple's invite for "Awe dropping;" the design could hint at the iPhone 17's new thermal system with ...
We've been waiting for "Under Display Touch ID" for four years. I guess we can wait a few more years for this. I've upgraded from a 7 to a 12 last year, and after six months, I wouldn't say Face ID is better or worse than Touch ID. Let's not pretend Touch ID was perfect, but I'd love to have a device that has both, which presumably increases the success of unlocking. My phone is in my jeans pocket most of the time, so with the iPhone 7, I got used to placing my thumb on the home button while grabbing it. It would be cool if Face ID would kick in when Touch ID fails.
Let's hope they do better than previous attempts by other manufacturers:
There will still be holes through the display for the cameras and sensors since it's impossible to shoot through solid surfaces. So they just cover the holes with a looser set of pixels to disguise it. But the holes are still there.
I'm interested to see what Apple can do with this... though I'm not bothered by current solutions.
I'd actually prefer matching bezels on the top and bottom of the phone and put good front-facing speakers there!
But that's just me... :p
That's why Apple does not play the "me first" game. They wait for the tech to mature.
Tomorrow: Kuo: Apple to use way better batteries in 2024 The next day: Kuo: Apple to implement 3D photography in 2025 The next day: Kuo: Apple to add physical, haptic feedback in 2026 The next day: Kuo: Apple to reduce body thickness of some devices to half in 2027 The next day: Kuo: Apple to build one-piece-of-glass-only see-though iPhones in 2028
It's a bit ridiculous. Of course Apple has a road map. Of course, this may change and some features will slip in the next year or even later.
seems like I won’t be upgrading my Xs Max for another few years.
I’m sick and tired of Face ID. I want under display touch ID,much more zoom and Macro camera ,not just casual,selfie camera with more megapixels and refinements.
Biggest design overhaul since iOS 7 with Liquid Glass, plus new Apple Intelligence features and improvements to Messages, Phone, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. Developer beta available now ahead of public beta in July.
