Whispers about the iPhone 18 Pro have been circulating, hinting at a radical redesign of the Face ID system. Initial reports suggested a complete relocation of the sensor array, pushing the camera to the upper-left corner and sparking questions about the fate of the Dynamic Island.
However, those early predictions may have been based on a misunderstanding. A prominent source on the Weibo platform has clarified the situation, revealing a more nuanced approach to the sensor layout.
The change isn’t a full migration, but a strategic repositioning. Only the infrared flood illuminator – a key component of Face ID – is slated to move under the display and to the left. The remaining elements, including the dot projector, infrared camera, and standard camera, will remain clustered together in a more compact module at the center.
A leaked mockup image visually demonstrates this arrangement, showcasing the separated infrared flood illuminator connected by a delicate ribbon cable. This design suggests a potential reduction in the size of the pill-shaped cutout currently housing the TrueDepth system.
The current TrueDepth module is a tightly integrated collection of sensors, refined over generations. This new configuration breaks that integration, raising a curious question: why separate the components at all if one is already hidden beneath the display?
The answer likely lies in internal space constraints. Apple may require additional components to be positioned near the center of the iPhone 18 Pro’s top edge, necessitating this rearranged layout to create the necessary room.
Ultimately, the true reasoning behind this design choice will remain a mystery until the iPhone 18 Pro is released and subjected to detailed teardowns. Don’t anticipate a dramatic visual overhaul when it arrives; the iPhone 18 Pro is expected to bear a striking resemblance to its predecessor, the iPhone 17 Pro.
Confirmation of these details has come from multiple sources, including frequent leaker ShrimpApplePro and display analyst Ross Young, lending further credibility to this revised understanding of Apple’s plans.
