Metalenz's latest face scan technology is integrated beneath the phone display, eliminating the need for unsightly cutouts.

      Face ID beneath the display has finally become a reality, and it isn't from Apple.

      Metalenz has created a technology that enables facial recognition to function from beneath the display.

      The notch, punch-hole cutout, and Dynamic Island—each phone manufacturer refers to it differently, but they all face the same issue: a significant portion of the display is removed to facilitate facial recognition. Metalenz may have found a solution.

      At Display Week in Los Angeles, the company showcased its Polar ID technology operating beneath a fully lit OLED screen. There is no cutout needed, and it is completely secure.

      Why is this noteworthy?

      Facial authentication is not merely a camera gimmick. To prevent spoofing, where someone could use a photo or mask to deceive your phone, the system must capture depth and detail that traditional cameras cannot provide through a display.

      That is why Apple’s Face ID technology is markedly superior to what many Android devices offer, as those only utilize a camera for unlocking the device. Due to their lack of security, they aren't viable for biometric authentication or for carrying out sensitive tasks like payment processing.

      However, for Face ID to function, the sensors require a significant cutout since they can't conduct verification through the display. Reports have indicated that Apple is working on this issue but has yet to find an effective solution.

      Metalenz has approached the problem differently. Its Polar ID technology utilizes a method called metasurface optics to capture polarized light. The innovative aspect is that this polarization signal can pass through the OLED display without any loss in quality, which has been the main challenge for others in the field.

      The company asserts a 0% acceptance rate for spoof attempts, putting it on par with Apple’s Face ID in terms of security.

      What does this imply for your next smartphone?

      For Android users, this could be significant news. Currently, Android manufacturers provide face unlock primarily as a convenience feature rather than a secure method suitable for payments, primarily due to the difficulty of integrating an effective system under the display. Polar ID could change that equation.

      If phone manufacturers embrace this technology, the notch and cutouts would become obsolete, and we may finally see the true all-screen phone that the industry has been promising for years.