Apple iPhone 18 Pro Under Display Face ID Features: The Complete Guide to 2025’s Game-Changing Flagship
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Key Takeaways
- The Apple iPhone 18 Pro under display Face ID features will eliminate the Dynamic Island for a true full-screen design.
- A new periscope zoom camera system offers up to 10x optical zoom, representing significant best iPhone 18 Pro camera upgrades.
- The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch in September 2025 with a starting price around $1,099, showcasing Apple new smartphone technology 2025.
- Under-display Face ID technology uses a transparent cathode and micro-scale openings in the pixel layer to allow infrared light to pass through.
- The A19 Pro chip and 2,500-nit peak brightness OLED panel will push performance and display quality to new heights.
Table of contents
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro Under Display Face ID Features: The Complete Guide to 2025’s Game-Changing Flagship
- Key Takeaways
- The Marque Feature: Under-Display Face ID and True Full-Screen Design
- A Pro-Grade Camera Revolution: The Periscope Upgrade
- Pricing and Availability: When to Expect the iPhone 18 Pro
- Beyond Face ID: The Broader 2025 Tech Landscape
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro under display Face ID features represent the biggest design change since the notch was first introduced in 2017. This innovation finally removes the Dynamic Island, delivering a true full-screen experience for the first time on any iPhone. For more on the evolution of smartphone design, see our guide on foldable phones.
This phone is the defining example of Apple new smartphone technology 2025, a year expected to be a landmark for smartphone innovation. Industry analysts and supply-chain leaks from reputable sources like Bloomberg, MacRumors, and Ming-Chi Kuo have painted a clear picture of what to expect. This article is a complete guide covering the key specifications, camera upgrades, release timeline, and pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro based on the latest information.
The Marque Feature: Under-Display Face ID and True Full-Screen Design
Exactly how do the Apple iPhone 18 Pro under display Face ID features work? According to a December 2023 report from The Elec, a South Korean display industry outlet, Apple has been working with Samsung Display and LG Display to integrate the IR camera, flood illuminator, and dot projector beneath a specialized screen panel. The technology uses a transparent cathode and micro-scale openings in the pixel layer to allow infrared light to pass through, enabling secure facial recognition without any visible cutout on the display. This advancement follows years of innovation in smartphone displays, much like the journey we have seen with foldable screen technology. [Source: The Elec]
The visual and functional result is transformative. The Dynamic Island is eliminated entirely, leaving only a small circle for the front-facing camera. It is worth noting that the camera itself may move under-display in a later generation. User experience improves dramatically for immersive content viewing such as movies and games, as there are no cutouts interrupting the screen real estate. The Apple iPhone 18 Pro under display Face ID features are the primary selling point that will define the user experience for years to come.
A Pro-Grade Camera Revolution: The Periscope Upgrade
Details of the iPhone 18 Pro periscope zoom camera specs are impressive. Whereas the iPhone 15 Pro Max introduced a 5x tetraprism telephoto, analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu have indicated that the iPhone 18 Pro will adopt a folded periscope lens with 6x to 10x optical zoom and a larger sensor for better light capture. To learn more about how smartphone photography is being redefined with advances in mobile camera tech, check out our guide on improving smartphone photography skills. [Source: Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu analysis]
The periscope upgrade is a key part of the best iPhone 18 Pro camera upgrades across the entire system. Expected improvements include:
- Improved low-light performance across all lenses, making night shots clearer and less noisy.
- A new 48MP ultra-wide lens for capturing more detail in landscape and group photos.
- Next-generation computational photography features powered by the A19 chip, enabling smarter scene recognition and real-time adjustments.
A key synergy exists between the under-display Face ID and the camera system. The relocation of Face ID sensors under the display frees up internal space that may allow for larger camera modules or a secondary telephoto lens without increasing device thickness. This makes the best iPhone 18 Pro camera upgrades even more compelling for photography enthusiasts.
Pricing and Availability: When to Expect the iPhone 18 Pro
The expected iPhone 18 Pro release date and price follow Apple’s typical cadence. Analysts predict a September 2025 unveiling, with pre-orders beginning the following Friday and availability a week later. This timeline aligns with Apple’s history of launching new Pro models in the fall.
Pricing tiers are expected to be as follows:
- Starting at $1,099 for the base 256GB model, up from the iPhone 16 Pro’s 128GB base.
- 512GB option at $1,299.
- 1TB option at $1,499.
The addition of under-display Face ID and the new periscope system could push the starting price up by $50 to $100 compared to previous generations. However, Apple may absorb costs to remain competitive in the premium smartphone market. The iPhone 18 Pro release date and price will be officially confirmed closer to launch.
Beyond Face ID: The Broader 2025 Tech Landscape
The iPhone 18 Pro is a flagship example of Apple new smartphone technology 2025. Beyond the camera and Face ID, several other anticipated features deserve attention. The chipset will be the 3nm+ A19 Pro chip with enhanced AI and machine learning cores, enabling faster processing and better efficiency. Design materials include a titanium frame with a new matte finish, offering both durability and a premium feel. The display will feature a 2,500-nit peak brightness OLED panel for stunning visuals even in direct sunlight.
Rumored battery advancements include a stacked battery design for faster charging and potentially a 5,000mAh capacity in the Pro Max variant. For a broader look at batteries and smartphone technology, see our guide on the best phones with the longest battery life.
The combination of these features, including under-display tech, periscope zoom, the A19 chip, and new materials, sets a new industry standard for flagship performance and design. This makes it the defining smartphone of 2025 and a true showcase of Apple new smartphone technology 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does under-display Face ID work on the iPhone 18 Pro?
The technology uses a transparent cathode and micro-scale openings in the pixel layer to allow infrared light from the Face ID sensors to pass through the display. This enables secure facial recognition without any visible cutout, removing the Dynamic Island entirely.
Q: When will the iPhone 18 Pro be released?
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be unveiled in September 2025, following Apple’s typical launch cadence. Pre-orders will begin the following Friday, with availability a week later.
Q: What is the expected price of the iPhone 18 Pro?
Pricing is expected to start at $1,099 for the base 256GB model. 512GB and 1TB options will likely cost $1,299 and $1,499 respectively. A price increase of $50 to $100 is possible due to new features.
Q: What are the camera upgrades on the iPhone 18 Pro?
The best iPhone 18 Pro camera upgrades include a periscope zoom lens with up to 10x optical zoom, a new 48MP ultra-wide lens, improved low-light performance, and next-generation computational photography powered by the A19 chip.
Q: Will the Dynamic Island be removed in the iPhone 18 Pro?
Yes, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro under display Face ID features eliminate the Dynamic Island entirely, providing a true full-screen display for the first time on an iPhone.
Which feature do you find most compelling: full-screen Face ID or the periscope camera? Let us know in the comments below. Stay tuned for official confirmation as Apple’s 2025 flagship nears production.

