iPhone 18 Pro set to unleash feature everyone's been waiting for

According to the Smart Pikachu account on Weibo, which has previously shared accurate information about the Chinese supply chain, Apple is testing this glass to allow TrueDepth infrared sensors to pass through the panel without distortion.

The approach is similar to existing industrial technologies that use micro-perforated or nano-structured glass to locally improve infrared signal transmission.

It is noted that Apple’s work has already prompted suppliers to accelerate preparation.

Face ID and Dynamic Island

Earlier rumors suggested that the iPhone 18 Pro would feature under-display Face ID, but details remain uncertain. In May, The Information reported that the Pro models would come without Dynamic Island, featuring a small cutout in the top-left corner of the display. Other sources claim that Dynamic Island will remain but in a smaller form.

Analyst Ross Young noted that having under-display Face ID does not rule out Dynamic Island – the pill-shaped area will simply be more compact. Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman also confirms that Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro will have a reduced size.

The information about micro-transparent glass supports the idea that TrueDepth sensors will be placed under the display, while the front-facing camera will retain a small cutout. Although Smart Pikachu did not specify Pro models, insiders often use the term series for all early panel and material tests, and previous leaks have consistently referred to Apple’s higher-end models.

Release timeline

Apple plans to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro in September 2026, alongside a new foldable iPhone as part of a separate launch cycle. Standard iPhone 18 models and the more affordable iPhone 18e are expected to be released only in early 2027.

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