iPhone 18 Pro Leak Confirmed: Smaller Dynamic Island Coming
Will the iPhone 18 Pro finally shrink its iconic Dynamic Island? Yes—but it won’t disappear. A major new leak, now corroborated by respected former display analyst Ross Young, confirms Apple will retain the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro, though in a noticeably reduced form. Only one Face ID component—the IR flood illuminator—will move under the display, while the rest, including the selfie camera and dot projector, stay housed in a more compact, centered notch. This directly contradicts earlier rumors of a hole-punch cutout, putting speculation about Apple abandoning the Dynamic Island to rest—for now.
What’s Changing in the iPhone 18 Pro’s Front Design
Apple’s front-facing design has remained largely consistent since the iPhone X introduced the notch in 2017. The Dynamic Island, first unveiled with the iPhone 14 Pro, transformed that notch into an interactive hub for alerts and live activities. Now, with the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple appears ready to refine—not replace—it.
According to leaker Instant Digital, the IR flood illuminator—a key part of the Face ID system that projects invisible light to map your face in low-light conditions—will be embedded beneath the OLED panel in the top-left corner. Meanwhile, the infrared camera, dot projector, and front-facing camera will remain grouped together in a smaller, pill-shaped Dynamic Island positioned at the center-top of the screen.
This hybrid approach allows Apple to maintain the full functionality of Face ID while subtly shrinking the visual footprint of the notch. It’s a clever middle ground between innovation and reliability—something Apple has long favored over radical redesigns.
Why Ross Young’s Confirmation Matters
Ross Young isn’t just any tech commentator. As the former VP of Display Research at Counterpoint and a trusted voice in display technology for over a decade, his insights have consistently aligned with Apple’s actual product releases. His recent endorsement of Instant Digital’s claim adds serious credibility to this leak.
In June 2025, Young hinted that Apple would begin integrating Face ID components under the display—but cautioned that not all elements would vanish. “Visible Face ID parts will remain,” he wrote at the time, suggesting the Dynamic Island would persist in some form. His latest post on X (formerly Twitter) explicitly ties that prediction to the current leak, calling it “exactly what I was referring to.”
Given Young’s track record and deep industry connections, his validation significantly outweighs conflicting reports—especially those lacking technical detail or sourcing clarity.
Debunking the Hole-Punch Rumor
Just weeks ago, a report claimed the iPhone 18 Pro would ditch the Dynamic Island entirely in favor of a hole-punch selfie camera in the top-left corner. That narrative, fueled by The Information’s Wayne Ma, sparked widespread speculation about Apple finally adopting a design common among Android flagships.
But the new consensus among reliable leakers tells a different story. Not only does Instant Digital’s breakdown align with Young’s past statements, but it’s also been supported by another prominent Chinese source. More importantly, it fits Apple’s engineering philosophy: prioritize security and user experience over aesthetic minimalism.
Face ID relies on a precise array of sensors working in concert. Moving the entire system under the display remains technically challenging without compromising speed or accuracy—especially in varied lighting conditions. By relocating only the IR flood illuminator, Apple can reduce the notch size while preserving the robust biometric authentication users expect.
What This Means for iPhone 18 Pro Users
For everyday users, the change may seem subtle—but it’s meaningful. A smaller Dynamic Island means more usable screen real estate without sacrificing the interactive features that make it useful. Live Activities, music controls, timers, and call notifications will still pop up seamlessly in the same familiar space, just with less visual intrusion.
It also suggests Apple isn’t rushing toward under-display cameras just yet. While competitors have experimented with hidden selfie lenses, many suffer from reduced image quality or inconsistent performance. Apple’s cautious, incremental approach ensures reliability—something enterprise users and privacy-conscious consumers deeply value.
Moreover, retaining the Dynamic Island maintains continuity in iOS design language. Developers won’t need to overhaul app interfaces, and users won’t face a learning curve with a completely new front-end layout.
The Bigger Picture: Apple’s Under-Display Strategy
This move signals Apple’s long-term roadmap for under-display technology. Rather than leapfrogging to a fully hidden front camera, the company is taking a phased approach—first embedding non-critical Face ID components, then potentially the selfie camera in future generations.
Industry insiders suggest true under-display Face ID (with all components hidden) may not arrive until the iPhone 20 series. Until then, Apple will optimize what’s possible today without compromising its core principles: security, performance, and user trust.
How the iPhone 18 Pro Compares to Past Models
Compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, which introduced the Dynamic Island, the iPhone 18 Pro’s version could be up to 20–30% smaller based on current schematics. That’s a noticeable reduction, bringing it closer in size to early Android punch-hole designs—but with far more functionality.
Unlike static cutouts, the Dynamic Island remains an active part of the interface. Shrinking it doesn’t diminish its utility; if anything, it makes the feature feel more integrated into the display rather than an interruption.
From the iPhone 12’s flat edges to the iPhone 15 Pro’s titanium frame, Apple’s design evolution favors refinement over revolution. The iPhone 18 Pro continues that tradition—polishing a signature element rather than discarding it for trendiness.
What to Expect at Apple’s September Launch
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup in September 2026, alongside iOS 20. If this leak holds, marketing materials will likely highlight the “smallest Dynamic Island ever” as a key visual upgrade.
Beyond the front panel, rumors point to other enhancements: faster A20 chip, improved periscope zoom on the telephoto lens, and expanded AI-powered photography features. But the display tweak may be the most immediately visible change for consumers upgrading from an iPhone 15 or 16 Pro.
For those holding out for a true bezel-less iPhone, patience is still required. But for users who appreciate Apple’s balance of innovation and reliability, the iPhone 18 Pro’s refined Dynamic Island offers the best of both worlds.
Evolution Over Disruption
The iPhone 18 Pro isn’t chasing headlines with a radical redesign. Instead, it’s doing what Apple does best: quietly improving an already successful feature. By shrinking the Dynamic Island while keeping its core functionality intact, Apple delivers a cleaner look without sacrificing security or usability.
In an era where AI and hardware converge, even small design choices carry weight. This update shows Apple listening to user feedback—many have long wished for a less obtrusive notch—while staying true to its engineering standards.
As we approach launch season, one thing is clear: the Dynamic Island isn’t going anywhere. It’s just getting smarter, sleeker, and more seamless. And for millions of iPhone users, that’s exactly the kind of progress that matters.
