Rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max may reduce the Dynamic Island by 35%, hiding Face ID sensors under the screen for a cleaner design.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple continues to gradually refine the display design of its smartphones, moving toward a completely "clean" screen without any cutouts. According to new rumors, the Dynamic Island element in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models could become significantly smaller—by about 35% compared to current models.
Insider Ice Universe claims the width of the Dynamic Island may shrink from approximately 20.7 mm to around 13.5 mm. This reduction would be possible by relocating some Face ID components responsible for facial recognition under the display.
The story of the iconic notch in iPhones began with the launch of the iPhone X in 2017. At that time, Apple first introduced Face ID and used a large "notch" at the top of the screen to house sensors and the front-facing camera. This design persisted in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models, later shrinking slightly in the iPhone 13.
In 2022, with the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple unveiled the Dynamic Island—an interactive cutout that not only conceals sensors but also displays notifications, background tasks, and other information. This feature later appeared in the base iPhone 15 models, fully replacing the traditional notch in the flagship lineup.
Rumors suggest further technological advancements will make the Dynamic Island even smaller in future models. Looking ahead, Apple may eventually hide all Face ID sensors under the screen, edging closer to the vision of a smartphone with a seamless, uninterrupted display. These changes are expected to be part of the design for a potential anniversary iPhone, possibly launching around the lineup's 20th anniversary in 2027.