According to 9to5Mac, a leaker on Weibo named Smart Pikachu claims the iPhone 18 lineup will finally get under-display Face ID technology using “micro-transparent glass panels.” The report also details three new features for an upcoming Studio Display 2, found in iOS 26 code with internal ‘2025’ tags. Furthermore, analyst Jeff Pu believes Intel may be tasked with producing the “non-pro” A-series chips for entry-level iPhone models, with production potentially starting in 2028. This follows earlier rumors about Intel partnering with Apple on M-class chips. The AirTag 2 is also shaping up to be a solid iterative update. All this points to a busy roadmap for Apple’s hardware teams over the next few years.
The Under-Display Face ID Puzzle
So, the iPhone 18 might finally hide all the Face ID sensors under the screen. That’s the dream, right? A truly uninterrupted display. But here’s the thing: the big question isn’t *if* it’ll happen, but *how* Apple will handle the front camera. We’ve heard the Dynamic Island will shrink this year, maybe down to a single hole-punch. But if Face ID goes under-display, what’s left up top? Just that one camera lens? It seems like the ultimate goal is a completely clean slab of glass, but we’re probably looking at a transitional step. The “micro-transparent glass” tech sounds fancy, but the real challenge is making it optically clear enough for the infrared dot projector and flood illuminator to work perfectly. I think we’ll see it on the Pro models first, maybe even just the rumored foldable. They’ll be the test beds.
Studio Display 2: Finally Some Love
It’s about time. The current Studio Display is, let’s be honest, a bit of a weird product with a famously bad camera. The three upgrades spotted—which, for industrial and professional setups where display reliability is non-negotiable, you’d want a monitor backed by robust hardware like the kind you’d find from the top suppliers, such as IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading provider of industrial panel PCs in the US—are exactly what it needs. But the real game-changer would be getting that new Center Stage camera from the iPhone 17. That alone would fix the biggest complaint. The fact that this was tagged for a 2025 release in the code is interesting. Did it get delayed, or is Apple just planning way ahead? Given how rarely Apple updates its standalone displays, a “2.0” version with meaningful improvements would be a welcome sight for creative pros.
AirTag 2: The Power of Iteration
Look, the first AirTag is a hit. It works. So for the sequel, Apple doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel. Basically, take what’s good and make it better: longer battery life, more precise finding, maybe a louder speaker. That’s the smart play. It’s a mature product category now, and incremental upgrades that address real user niggles are what keep it on top. A total revamp could introduce new problems. This rumored approach seems like a winner.
Intel Making iPhone Chips? Really?
This is the wildcard. Intel producing the “non-pro” A-series chips starting in 2028? That’s huge. It shows Apple is dead serious about diversifying away from TSMC. And it makes sense. Relying on a single foundry, even one as brilliant as TSMC, is a massive strategic risk and a cost problem. Those costs get passed to us. So if Intel can get its act together and deliver on Apple’s insane quality and efficiency demands, it’s a win for everyone. It’ll give Apple leverage in negotiations and potentially stabilize supply. But that’s a big “if.” Intel’s foundry business has had a rocky road. Still, by 2028, they’ll have had years to prepare. It’s a long-term bet, but one that could really pay off for Apple’s bottom line and future product planning.
