Under-Display Face ID on iPhone Still at Least Two Years Away, Says Analyst

Apple is unlikely to move Face ID components under the iPhone's display until 2025 at the earliest, according to display industry consultant Ross Young, who has a very good track record with display-related information about future Apple products.

Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID
Young had previously expected Apple to launch its first iPhone with under-display Face ID in 2024, but he now believes the timeframe has been pushed back to 2025 at the earliest due to "sensor issues," per a tweet he shared today. This means the so-called "iPhone 17 Pro" could be the first model with Face ID hidden under the display, but he still expects there to be a hole in the display for the front camera on the device.

Young's revised timeframe contradicts a report from Korean publication The Elec claiming that under-display Face ID would launch on the iPhone 16 Pro next year. Young is typically accurate, so the technology is more likely to be at least two years away.

In the meantime, it has been widely rumored that Apple will expand the Dynamic Island to all four iPhone 15 models, after introducing the feature on the iPhone 14 Pro models last year. If and when iPhones with under-display Face ID finally arrive, it is possible that the Dynamic Island will remain an optional software feature.

Young previously claimed that the iPhone could adopt an all-screen design with both Face ID and the front camera moved under the display in 2026 at the earliest.

Top Rated Comments

TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
10 months ago
Imagine if Apple introduced the world with "Under-Display Touch ID' ?
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
10 months ago

Touch ID literally fails me daily. I am constantly deleting and adding fingerprints on both of my Touch ID devices. The new fingerprint works for a day or two and then I have to do it all over again. I have no love whatsoever for Touch ID. I think it’s hot garbage. Face ID never fails me. Ever. I have no clue why anyone would want Touch ID, under the screen or not.
Opposite for me. Touch ID on iPad mini 6 (on/off button) works flawlessly for me every time. Set it up ONCE over a year ago and never disappoints.

I can't grasp why it is so important to get this feature under the screen when the button-based version works so very well. Why not just put the same, proven button on the iPhone rim? Perhaps the race to "thinner" is ramping up at Apple again and that thin iPad touchid button is too thick for upcoming generations of iPhone? Else, if iPhone is about as thin as it is going to go, the iPad touchid button would easily fit.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThomasJL Avatar
10 months ago
How unrealistic are people to expect an under-display front-facing camera? On normal cameras without anything obscuring them, even slight dust and fingerprints can cause poor images. A screen on top of a camera will obscure the lens much more than dust and fingerprints.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
10 months ago
Let's just hope it doesn't have the success story of AirPower.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MayaUser Avatar
10 months ago
same rumour for 5 years now....
this is dead in the water and contradicts the under the display faceID for 2025-2026 rumours
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JamesHolden Avatar
10 months ago

Imagine if Apple introduced the world with "Under-Display Touch ID' ?
Touch ID literally fails me daily. I am constantly deleting and adding fingerprints on both of my Touch ID devices. The new fingerprint works for a day or two and then I have to do it all over again. I have no love whatsoever for Touch ID. I think it’s hot garbage. Face ID never fails me. Ever. I have no clue why anyone would want Touch ID, under the screen or not.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

26 New Things Your iPhone Can Do With Next Month's iOS 17.2 Update

Wednesday November 22, 2023 10:57 pm PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen two more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 26 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released in December. 1. Help You...
Apple Watch Series 9

5 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's Apple Watch

Friday November 24, 2023 3:46 am PST by
With all the discounted deals on Apple tech currently available, you might be thinking about upgrading your Apple Watch or buying one for the first time. But if your current smartwatch is doing its job just fine and it's only the idea of a good deal that's piqued your interest, it could be worth holding out until next year when Apple unveils its latest and greatest version. There are already ...
General Black Friday Deals 2022 Green

40+ Apple Black Friday Deals Still Available for AirPods, iPhone, iPad and More

Friday November 24, 2023 5:01 am PST by
Black Friday 2023 has officially ended, but we're still tracking some of the best deals of the year on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, iPhone, MacBook, and many more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically, in this article we're...
Cyber Monday Deals Feature 2022

40+ Apple Cyber Monday Deals for AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 26, 2023 9:47 am PST by
Cyber Monday has taken the place of Black Friday, and you'll find many of the same deals still around today. This includes dozens of record low prices on Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iPhone, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the...
ipad mini 2021 youtube

What to Expect From the Next iPad Mini Later in 2024

Friday November 24, 2023 1:00 pm PST by
Over 800 days have passed since Apple last updated the iPad mini, as outlined in the MacRumors Buyer's Guide. Fortunately, a new iPad mini is rumored to be released next year, and we have outlined what to expect from the device below. Apple released the current iPad mini in September 2021, with new features at the time including a larger 8.3-inch display, a USB-C port, a Touch ID power...