There have a number of Apple patents covering under display sensors and camera over the years. Two of the most current were published in 2022 and 2023. A new supply chain report published this morning claims that Apple is expected to apply 'Under Panel Face ID' functionality that hides Face ID under the screen starting with Apples' 2024 iPhone 16 series Pro lineup.

If under panel Face ID is applied, external light penetrates the display and enters Face ID, so it is necessary to secure display transparency and package technology.

From the display point of view, under panel Face ID has the same principle as the under panel camera (UPC) that Samsung Display is applying to Samsung Electronics' foldable phone Galaxy Z Fold series. UPC also mounts a front camera module under the display, so the camera lens hole is not visible when the camera function is not in use.

According to The Elec, camera module specifications at present have been compromised at the level of 4 million pixels to implement UPC. This is because the UPC space must be divided so that some support the display screen function, and the other supports the camera function by accepting external light. Recently, the front camera specifications of premium smartphones far exceed 10 million pixels.

If the current trend continues, Apple could apply under panel Face ID to the lower iPhone series lineup in 2025 and apply UPC to the upper iPhone series lineup in 2026. In 2025, Apple's first foldable IT product is expected to be released.

In another aspect of the report, The Elec claims that China's display maker BOE is having technical issues in developing a display with Apple's Dynamic Island which at present will sideline the company from entering iPhone 15 production until their displays could pass Apple's internal testing. For more, read the full report by The Elec.