Kuo: Apple to Adopt Under Display Face ID Starting With 2023 iPhones

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.

Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID
In an investors note obtained by MacRumors, Kuo says that the under-display ‌Face ID‌ system will debut alongside a new periscope telephoto lens in 2023. Kuo had previously stated that starting next year, Apple will plan to abandon the notch for a "punch-hole" design for some of its 2022 iPhones.

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.

Kuo also today shared details on the 2022 ‌iPhone‌ lineup, saying that Apple plans to abandon the 5.4-inch mini form factor.

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Top Rated Comments

brgjoe Avatar
56 months ago
If true, that will most likely be my next phone purchase.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MakeAppleAwesomeAgain Avatar
56 months ago
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.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Metrosey Avatar
56 months ago
Guess it’s Kuo’s day today, Kudos to Kuo.

Edit - Kuo, please give us some MacBook news too :)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
56 months ago

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.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ckater Avatar
56 months ago
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.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ColdShadow Avatar
56 months ago
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.

Until then,I won’t be interested in any iPhone.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)