In upcoming iPhones and iPads, Apple is reportedly to use much smaller Face ID sensors than the ones they currently use, starting with the September iPhones. DigiTimes added further details, specifying the ‘VCSEL’ chips used within the scanner are going to be scaled down to achieve the size change. The move would help reduce production costs as more chips can be made using the same amount of wafers as the existing bigger sensors use.
The extra space could be used to house more sensors or technology into the notch, without increasing its existing size. Or, on the other hand they could reduce the size of the notch, that has been previously speculated by DigiTimes and other outlets, with one of iPhone 13’s biggest design changes being the smaller or redesigned notch. The notch has remained unchanged from iPhone X, when it was first introduced. iPhone 12 and 12 Pro models did reduce the outer bezels, increasing screen size, but the notch remained unchanged so this would be the first major change to the notch.