Apple's iPhone 18 Pro rumoured major design shift with under-screen face ID, report suggests

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max models are anticipated to feature the most dramatic design evolution in years, a report suggests.

The leaks indicate that Apple will finally implement under-screen Face ID technology across its 18-model lineup.

This highly anticipated advancement will enable the TrueDepth camera system to operate beneath the display, eliminating the need for the current pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout on Pro models.

In iPhones, the TrueDepth camera is responsible for accurate face data by projecting and assessing thousands of invisible dots to create an in-depth map of a person’s face, in addition to capturing an infrared image of the user's face.

Early leaks suggested that the front-facing camera will remain in a single, smaller hole-punch. The hole-punch will be placed in the top-left corner of the screen.

This is a major shift from the current centred camera placements. With this shift, there will be greater utilisation of screen area, but it raises concerns about the model's aesthetics.

Apart from the display, the iPhone 18 Pro models are expected to have major internal upgrades.

Apple is rumoured to debut the A20 Pro chip in it, which is manufactured on TSMC’s cutting-edge 2nm process.

This chip will substantially improve performance and increase efficiency.

Apple is also expected to introduce its first in-house cellular chip, the C1X or C2, ending its reliance on Qualcomm for this component.

Some other rumoured features include:

• A variable aperture for an improved camera
• Powerful battery facilitated by a thicker chassis
• New colour options like burgundy or coffee brown, etc.
• 6.3 and 6.9 inch screen sizes
• 120Hz refresh rate

Traditionally, Apple introduces its flagship iPhones in September. But there are persistent rumours of a possible split-launch strategy for the iPhone 18.