How Apple Plans to Embed Face ID in the iPhone Display
Appleโs ambition to integrate Face ID directly into the iPhone display has been evident from several patents over the years. This revolutionary design would mark a significant milestone in Appleโs pursuit of a seamless and futuristic smartphone experience. However, the technical challenges associated with embedding Face ID technology within the display, particularly the limitations of infrared (IR) light transmission, have been a significant hurdle. A newly granted patent suggests Apple may have developed an innovative solution.
How Apple Plans to Embed Face ID in the iPhone Display
Former Apple design chief Jony Ive famously envisioned the iPhone as a โsingle slab of glass,โ free from bezels, notches, or cutouts. Achieving this design requires embedding all front-facing components, including Face ID and the selfie camera, beneath the display. While embedding the camera is a longer-term challenge due to current limitations in image quality, integrating Face ID into the display is a more immediate focus.
Overcoming the Infrared Transmission Barrier
Face ID relies on IR light for accurate facial recognition. Unfortunately, IR light doesnโt travel efficiently through display layers, resulting in slower and less reliable performance. Appleโs previous efforts to address this issue included selectively deactivating display pixels, but the new patent outlines a simpler and potentially more effective method.
The Solution: Subpixel Removal
A display pixel is composed of red, green, and blue subpixels, which work together to create various colours. Apple proposes removing specific subpixels to create gaps that allow IR light to pass through more easily. The missing subpixels would be strategically eliminated in areas where neighbouring pixels could compensate, ensuring thereโs no noticeable impact on display quality.
For instance, if a red subpixel is removed, the adjacent pixelโs red subpixel can effectively be โborrowedโ to maintain the colour mix. This arrangement preserves visual integrity while enabling better IR transmission.
Enhancing Infrared Pathways
To further optimize the system, Apple suggests removing some of the wiring associated with the eliminated subpixels. Each subpixel has dedicated power and control lines, and eliminating these would increase the clear area for IR light. Additionally, parts of the touch-sensitive mesh in the display could also be removed in these regions without compromising touch accuracy.
These advancements collectively create a more transparent path for IR light, enabling faster and more reliable facial recognition.
Could This Feature Debut in the iPhone 17?
There has been speculation about embedded Face ID for several iPhone generations, including the iPhone 15 and 16. Now, rumours suggest the technology could debut in the iPhone 17. Reports indicate at least one model may feature a smaller Dynamic Island, hinting at progress in embedding Face ID.
Notably, the rumoured iPhone 17 Air will have a sleek design, aligning to reduce Dynamic Island to a simple camera punch-hole. While it remains uncertain whether Apple will unveil this feature with the iPhone 17, the newly granted patent highlights Appleโs determination to overcome technical barriers and achieve its design vision.
As Apple continues refining these technologies, the realization of a โsingle slab of glassโ iPhone may finally be within reach.
See Also: Low Innovation in iPhones Pushing Apple Toward IoT and Smart Home Devices in 2025
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