A recent leak from Digital Chat Station suggests that Apple’s upcoming foldable iPad Pro will feature under-display Face ID technology. Unlike the anticipated foldable iPhone, which is expected next year, this device may only move the IR projector under the display using a “meta-lens.” The iPad Pro is set to have an 18.8-inch screen, larger than any current MacBook but smaller than the iMacs. Apple has shifted to using Face ID predominantly across its devices, with no plans to incorporate under-display Touch ID. This aligns with Apple’s ongoing focus on enhancing secure unlock mechanisms.
When two rumors intersect, you get this – the upcoming foldable iPad Pro is rumored to feature an under-display Face ID, according to leakster Digital Chat Station. We’ve been hearing discussions about foldable devices and under-display technology for years, so it was only a matter of time before they would converge.
To clarify, this information pertains to the forthcoming foldable iPad Pro, not the foldable iPhone expected next year. It’s possible that not all Face ID components will be relocated – consisting of both an IR projector and an IR camera – but only the projector. This advancement will be possible through a “meta-lens” (or perhaps not, as Google Translate may have led us astray).
This situation resembles the initial intentions to reduce the size of the Dynamic Island on iPhones – first, the projector is placed under the display, and after a few generations, the camera follows suit. This change was initially anticipated for this year with the iPhone 17, yet recent information indicates that this enhancement requires additional research before implementation.
Face ID is Apple’s preferred secure unlock mechanism
Regarding the foldable iPad Pro, it is expected to feature an 18.8” display – larger than any MacBook but smaller than the iMacs (which currently only come in a 24” size, although 21.5” models were previously available).
In any case, Apple has nearly fully transitioned to Face ID – while Touch ID remains on some iPad models (standard, Air, mini), the Pro models use Face ID. The fingerprint scanner is no longer available on iPhones following the discontinuation of the SE and the switch to Face ID for the 16e. Apple could have easily introduced under-display Touch ID, but it appears Cupertino is not interested in pursuing this option.
Source (in Chinese)