When Apple will apply under panel face ID technology to its iPhones is up in the air as display suppliers are yet to secure the necessary technologies, TheElec has learned.
For Cupertino to commercialize the technology, both its major display suppliers Samsung Display and LG Display need to deliver.
This is because Apple ships tens of millions of iPhones per year so both suppliers are needed.
Under panel face ID has the face ID module below the panel so that it is hidden when not in use. This allows for a fuller screen. Under panel camera is a follow-up to that where the camera is hidden under the panel as well, which will allow for a full screen.
Apple first applied hole-displays in 2022 with two iPhone 14 Pro models where there are holes punched in the areas for the face ID and camera modules. The company was expected to apply under panel face ID, then under panel camera, after this.
But the technologies for this being developed by Samsung Display and LG Display are note mature enough as of yet and not meeting Apple’s requirements, sources said.
Under panel face ID requires infrared receivers and transmitters but these two components are still difficult to put under the panel, they said.
Samsung Display is working on this with OTI Lumionics __ the latter’s use a transparent cathode for the OLED panel so that light can pass out. However the infrared laser is suffering from diffraction.
LG Display is working with LG Innotek and they are opting to use prism optics lenses so that modules underneath the panel can absorb more light.
