By Apple is expected to significantly enhance its Face ID system on the iPhone 16 Pro models by incorporating new lenses. A DigiTimes report suggests that the TrueDepth and front-facing cameras, which power the Face ID system, might be upgraded with a “metalens” in the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro.
According to the report, these new lenses for the iPhone 16 Pro are anticipated to be developed by Apple’s component partners, ViesEra and Asia Optical. The report also mentions that Apple has been working on integrating metalenses for a while and initially considered using them in the iPad Pro’s Face ID system.
What Are Metalenses and How Do They Outperform Traditional Lenses?
Overview:
- Metalenses vs. Traditional Lenses: Unlike conventional lenses, which rely on curved surfaces, metalenses are ultra-thin, flat lenses that use nanoscale surface patterns to manipulate light. Traditional lenses often require multiple curved glass or plastic elements, making them bulkier and heavier.
- Advantages in Face ID Systems: In Face ID technology, the current trio of lenses used for facial recognition could potentially be replaced by a single, slimmer, and lighter metalens. Additionally, metalenses may allow for a smaller camera sensor without compromising image quality.
- Potential Delays and Future Plans: While Apple has not officially confirmed any updates to Face ID, the adoption of metalenses in iPhones may be postponed until next year. Earlier rumors indicated that Apple might introduce metalenses in the iPhone 17 series and possibly in the Apple Glasses AR headset.
- Under-Display Face ID System: Apple is also reportedly working on embedding the Face ID system under the display in future iPhones. If implemented, this could eliminate the need for notches or cutouts, giving the iPhone a cleaner look. However, this would require significant modifications to the existing components.
