iPhone 17 With a Smaller Dynamic Island? Here's What Rumors Say

[MacRumors]

All four iPhone 17 models will adopt metalens technology for Face ID, according to Jeff Pu, an Apple analyst at equity research firm GF Securities. He revealed this information in an investor research note earlier this month.

Earlier this year, a leaker known as Digital Chat Station also claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro Max would adopt a metalens for Face ID that integrates the transmitter and receiver components. They said that this change would reduce the size of some of the Face ID components, resulting in a smaller Dynamic Island on the device.

Last year, Pu also said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max would have a much narrower Dynamic Island, as a result of the metalens. However, he now believes that all of the iPhone 17 models will adopt a metalens, meaning that the change would extend to the base model iPhone 17, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, and the smaller iPhone 17 Pro.

In January, however, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expects the Dynamic Island‌'s size to remain "largely unchanged" across the ‌iPhone 17‌ series.

All three sources have proven track records of sharing details about future Apple products, so it remains to be seen if the Dynamic Island will change in size.

In any case, next year's iPhone 18 Pro models are rumored to feature under-screen Face ID with only a small front camera hole.

Article Link: iPhone 17 With a Smaller Dynamic Island? Here's What Rumors Say

 

[211]

What I really hate about Dynamic Island is that it covers the 4/5G icon when it is active. I don’t know why Apple always thinks there is a data signal everywhere all the time. Maybe in San Francisco, but definitely not in the United Kingdom

 

[42545]

one way or another the dynamic island occupies more space than the notch and I think it looks bad.If you put them side by side, the apps are higher on the one with the notch.

 

[bradman83]

The dot projector used for FaceID is currently prism-based and takes up almost the entire thickness of an iPhone or iPad. This is the reason why FaceID is not currently doable in a MacBook's even thinner screen chassis. Switching to a metalens for the dot projector could potentially collapse the amount of space needed and allow Apple to finally offer FaceID on its laptops.

 

[svish]

The Pro models should get it definitely and so should the new Air/slim iPhone. Possible for a reduction in size of the dynamic island to happen for all the models as I don't think the base model will be the only one not getting it.

 

[MRSugarD]

Can't wait til the Dynamic Island is history. Hopefully by 2027 right in time for the 20th anniversary model.

 

[cocky jeremy]

The dot projector used for FaceID is currently prism-based and takes up almost the entire thickness of an iPhone or iPad. This is the reason why FaceID is not currently doable in a MacBook's even thinner screen chassis. Switching to a metalens for the dot projector could potentially collapse the amount of space needed and allow Apple to finally offer FaceID on its laptops.

Or Apple could stop pretending everyone wants giant razor blade as a laptop and thicken it up a bit. lol.

 

[Kylo83]

Nothing is changing this year, it’s next year it’s getting smaller. Time to get rid of the notch on the Mac’s and cut outs on phone, had enough of them

 

[darngooddesign]

Or Apple could stop pretending everyone wants giant razor blade as a laptop and thicken it up a bit. lol.

Can you imagine if they made the MacBook Pro lid as thick as the iPad Pro just to use Face ID. Laughably bad decision.

 

[maxfromdenmark]

iPhone 17 or maybe iPhone 26? Huh? 🤔

 

[Paddle1]

I'll believe it when I see it. These types of rumors usually get "pushed back" to a future model closer to release.

 

[ThomasJL]

Dynamic Notchland is an attempt by that master of mediocrity, Tim Cook, to convince people that notches are necessary.

Newsflash: If there were bigger bezels to house all the things in the notch, and thus there was no more notch, it would still be possible to have the exact same black-background graphics and features of Dynamic Notchland.

 

[klasma]

Can you imagine if they made the MacBook Pro lid as thick as the iPad Pro just to use Face ID. Laughably bad decision.

The lid of the MacBook Pro is slightly under 4 mm, and the 13” iPad Pro is 5.1 mm. The difference isn’t that dramatic.

 

[ifxf]

Wish they would add an option to make it read only. I am always accidentally selecting whatever Apple activates it and I don’t see any need to select it.

 

[ifxf]

Can't wait til the Dynamic Island is history. Hopefully by 2027 right in time for the 20th anniversary model.

Will you then complain about the pinhole camera, especially if Apple places it off center?

 

[digimc]

It's hard for me to believe that Apple would make any significant changes to the Dynamic Island this year if they were planning to scrap it altogether next year.

 

[IAmStumped]

I really like the Dynamic Island. I find it extremely useful. Hopefully they won't get rid of it altogether.

 

[virginblue4]

It's hard for me to believe that Apple would make any significant changes to the Dynamic Island this year if they were planning to scrap it altogether next year.

You mean like making the notch smaller on the 13 Pro only to introduce the Dynamic Island the following year with the 14 Pro?

 

[darngooddesign]

I really like the Dynamic Island. I find it extremely useful. Hopefully they won't get rid of it altogether.

Same here. It will probably exist even around a hole punch camera.

 

[goonie4life9]

Wooo, it's time to get stoked for the ALL NEW iPhone '26! This is the best, most powerful iPhone Apple has ever released. And, Apple is proud to announce a leap forward, with the smallest Dynamic Island ever released in an iPhone. The best-in-class Dynamic Island now takes up 33% less space, allowing for more incredible content on your screen. Apple can't wait to see the incredible things customers are able to do with the ALL NEW iPhone '26. Apple thinks you're gonna love it.

 

[ToothBlueth]

iPhone 17 or maybe iPhone 26? Huh? 🤔

Maybe Tim sent a memo to change to year format without specifying details and, iOS-team decided it is the year it (mostly) covers, while the iPhone-team chose the year of launch. So iOS 26 on iPhone 25.

 

[digimc]

You mean like making the notch smaller on the 13 Pro only to introduce the Dynamic Island the following year with the 14 Pro?

I get what you are saying. I guess I should have said "It would make no sense to mess with the Dynamic Island if you are just going to scrap it in another year."

But Apple still uses the notch on the lower level entry iPhone's like the 16e. They haven't entirely abandoned the concept of the notch. I just don't understand the concept or the level of thinking that Apple would waste money making significant changes to a feature that they are going to scrap entirely in less than a year.

I mean I guess anything is possible but it makes little to no sense to me.

 

[JohnC1959]

The dot projector used for FaceID is currently prism-based and takes up almost the entire thickness of an iPhone or iPad. This is the reason why FaceID is not currently doable in a MacBook's even thinner screen chassis. Switching to a metalens for the dot projector could potentially collapse the amount of space needed and allow Apple to finally offer FaceID on its laptops.

That would be nice when I'm docked on my desktop. I keep the MacBook open as an added display along side my large display. When I need to authorize something I either have to awkwardly reach from my desktop keyboard to the laptop (on a stand) or enter the password. With FaceID I could just turn my head slightly and be done.

 

[mlayer]

I'm amused at the number of complaints by iPhone users about a feature that Android is only now implementing in maybe a better than half-baked manner. This idea of the bezel-less, notch-less, 100% screen-to-body ratio phone that includes FaceID is more illusion than reality at this point.

Regardless, a lot of users including me use Dynamic Island daily, frequently. It's quite useful. If Apple is going to phase it out, it better come with a better mousetrap.

 

[lk400]

oh man, if the little black bit near the top of the screen that I don’t remember is there after 30 seconds is slightly smaller in the 17, it’s a day one buy for me.