Apple is developing under-display Face ID technology as part of its plans to create a notchless iPhone design, building on the company’s long-running efforts to eliminate the distinctive front display cutout. The technological advancement represents a significant evolution from the original Face ID system introduced with the iPhone X in 2017, which required a prominent notch to house the TrueDepth camera system.
The advancement will be powered by Apple’s upcoming A20 chip, which will be manufactured using TSMC’s next-generation 2nm process – an improvement over the current 3nm process used in the A18 Pro chip. The A20 chip is expected to deliver enhanced performance while maintaining energy efficiency, a crucial requirement for implementing under-display facial recognition technology. The development continues Apple’s consistent pattern of annual processor improvements, with each generation bringing specialized neural engines and machine learning capabilities essential for secure biometric authentication.
A key technical advancement enabling this development is the adoption of Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM) packaging for the A20 chip. The packaging method integrates different chip components, including the main SoC and DRAM, directly on the wafer before separation, using Redistributed Layer (RDL) technology instead of a traditional interposer. “This approach will improve signal quality and thermal management,” says analyst Jeff Pu from GF Securities.
The under-display Face ID technology will enable invisible facial recognition capabilities, with plans to potentially integrate the front camera beneath the screen as well. The design change aims to eliminate the distinctive notch present in current iPhone models. The advancement follows similar innovations in the industry, including recent breakthroughs in under-display facial recognition from companies like Trinamix and Visionox.
The implementation of under-display Face ID is part of a broader redesign planned for future iPhone models, including the iPhone 18 Pro series and a reported iPhone 18 Fold. These devices are expected to feature an all-glass design that complements the under-display technology, marking Apple’s most significant design evolution since the introduction of the Dynamic Island with the iPhone 14 Pro.
Sources: Apple World Today, 24matins, Instagram, iClarified
