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Apple has been granted a patent that could revolutionize the way Face ID and other sensors are embedded into the iPhone. The new approach appears to be an evolution of Dynamic Island technology but applied in a more flexible manner.
Apple’s initial attempt to embed Face ID into the iPhone was the notorious notch, which took up valuable screen space. With the iPhone 14 Pro models, the company shifted to two cutouts in the display, disguised as a single pill-shaped cutout.
Apple’s ultimate goal, however, is to achieve a “single slab of glass”, in which the display covers the entire front of the iPhone. This requires finding new ways to hide the under-screen components, such as Face ID and front-facing cameras.
The patent, as reported by Patently Apple, describes a range of sensors that could be hidden under the display, including Touch ID, air gesture sensors, pressure sensors, health sensors, and even lidar sensors. The position of Dynamic Island could also vary, through the use of transparent windows, which could be effectively moved around the display.
Apple says that a typical display has 13 layers, but that light transmission is reduced by up to 80%. The new approach would distribute these areas in a way that is invisible to the naked eye, without impacting performance or touch sensitivity.
Apple already holds several patents for under-screen Face ID and Touch ID, but this new patent marks a significant step forward in achieving the company’s vision of a seamless and seamless iPhone display.
