iPhone Dynamic Island could change its appearance in 2024
iPhone Dynamic Island could undergo major changes as early as next year. The dynamic notch will indeed be reduced to a simple punch-hole on the iPhone 16 Pro.
In 2017, Apple proudly unveiled Face ID, its 3D facial recognition, during a keynote dedicated to the iPhone X. To house the TrueDepth sensor necessary for this technology to work, the brand added notch on the touch screen. This distinctive element, long ridiculed at the time, was also found in later models.
Last fall, Apple finally announced Dynamic Island. Instead of a large notch, the iPhone 14 Pro inherits the so-called dynamic notch, which adapts to the iOS app being used thanks to a bit of software magic. This trick allows Apple to reduce the size taken by Face ID to offer a larger viewing area.
For this purpose, the company has reduced the size of the Face ID notch on the iPhone 13 Pro. Over the years, Apple engineers have succeeded component miniaturization facial recognition to save space. This is the case for the module responsible for digitizing the distinctive elements of the face by projecting a point of light.
Also read: How his mixed reality headset eats away at all of Apple’s resources… even iPhones
Less invasive dynamic notch
Starting next year, the Cupertino giants will look to go even further. According to information from The Elec, a South Korean media, Apple will slip all important sensors for Face ID just below the touch screen. This novelty is referred to as ” Under Panel Face ID function “. The iPhone 16 Pro, one of next year’s hypothetical high-end versions, will inheritmore hidden dynamic islands. Instead of a double cavity in the form of an elongated pill, we will then find a single punch. This hole will only hold the photo sensor for selfies. When not in use, the surrounding software bubbles should appear narrower.
Obviously, it’s possible that Apple may decide to move this photo module under the plate. It’s a technical challenge, but many competitors have managed to overcome the obstacle. This is the case for Samsung, the market leader. If all sensors were moved under the screen glass, Dynamic Island would descend into the bubbles displayed by the software… and lose some of its interest.
According to information provided by The Elec, Apple is working on under-plate photo sensor technology. On the other hand, this novelty may not be ready for the iPhone 16 release before it pass the module course below the screen, Apple may want to ensure that the quality of selfies does not suffer. South Korean media seems to rely on the notch reduced to its simplest expression for the iPhone 16 Pro.
True to form, Apple will order changes to the island’s design to the Pro version. The more affordable iPhone 16s again had to end up with a Dynamic Island similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. Of note, the dynamic notch will also be integrated into all iPhone 15s, including the least expensive model, expected next September.
This isn’t the first time rumors have predicted the relocation of the Face ID sensor under the iPhone’s OLED panel. Given the ambition displayed by the manufacturer, Apple will sooner or later have to bet on the sensor under the screen, which is mirrored by many Android smartphone manufacturers. The company has also filed multiple patent applications for a Face ID sensor hidden under the display.
This aesthetic change is there lots of technical challenges. Apple does have to ensure that the sensor can recognize the user’s face through the glass. Concretely, they need to be able to project an infrared point to calculate depth of field, and “maps” the user’s face, regardless of the plate.
How about Touch ID under the screen?
At the same time, the company also seems interested in the idea of integrating a Touch ID fingerprint reader under the screen. The patents describing this kind of technology in the iPhone are numerous. In the mobile market, this technology has gradually spread since 2018 thanks to brands like Vivo. Most Android smartphones now have a fingerprint sensor discreetly tucked under the plate.
On iPhone, the reader just works asalternative to Face ID technology, who was not ready to retreat. But despite the rumors predicting the return of Touch ID, Apple seems to be betting everything on facial recognition. This is primarily the opinion of Mark Gurman, journalist at Bloomberg. According to him, the company has turned the page and is focused on improving Face ID.
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