iPhone 18 Pro's Smaller Dynamic Island Revealed

[MacRumors]

New images of an alleged iPhone 18 Pro prototype and screen protectors have emerged from multiple sources, adding weight to earlier reports that Apple plans to significantly shrink the Dynamic Island later this year.

An X user called @earlyappleleaks recently shared an image purportedly showing a prototype iPhone 18 Pro with a noticeably smaller Dynamic Island. In the picture, the flashlight of another iPhone is held over the corner of the display, revealing a small circular punch-hole cutout under the display, which is presumably a relocated Face ID sensor.

Moving TrueDepth camera components under the display would allow the Dynamic Island cutout itself to shrink considerably, and multiple earlier reports suggested Face ID will be the first component Apple plans to move beneath the screen. "Early Apple" is a relatively new account of unknown origin with no established track record, so the image should be taken with caution.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2037545523352330690

Separately, the leaker known as "Ice Universe," who has a decent track record for Apple leaks, shared an image of an alleged iPhone 18 Pro screen protector showing dramatically smaller cutouts compared to the current design. The protector images appear to corroborate the alleged prototype photo, and similar images have since been proliferating across Chinese social media.

Another leaker, citing the accumulating evidence, claims the Dynamic Island is set to shrink by as much as 35% compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. The fact that these accessories are starting to be produced suggests that manufacturers have a high level of confidence that the upcoming device will feature a smaller Dynamic Island.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038183770193379564

There has been some disagreement among sources on the smaller Dynamic Island, with some reports casting doubt on the rumors, but most of the evidence now appears to support the change.

Ice Universe previously reported that the smaller Dynamic Island would be adopted across the full iPhone 18 lineup, not just the Pro models, while bezels on next-generation devices will apparently remain identical to those on the iPhone 17 series.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 18 Pro models alongside its first foldable iPhone this fall, with the standard iPhone 18 arriving early next year as part of a new split-cycle launch strategy.

Article Link: iPhone 18 Pro's Smaller Dynamic Island Revealed

 

[uczcret]

That is a lot smaller! Fingers crossed these leaks turn out real.

 

[HouseLannister]

Meh. Is Apple really going to mention this during their keynote? It's in the menu bar area, so why should we care? We get an extra fraction of a fraction of an inch of our wallpaper? We don't have notification icons up there like on Android, so it could be a giant notch and the end effect is the same. It's always going to be something you forget is there until you want to watch a fullscreen video or play a game and then it's annoying, but not a deal breaker.

 

[derdante]

Oh hell yeah, that is a significant reduction. Please be true. Finally going to upgrade from my 11 Pro Max having avoided all the dynamic island models so far due to it being so massive. Would've liked a vertical size reduction too but better than nothing.

 

[MayaUser]

Beautiful phone

 

[filmantopia]

Better than no change at all... it's more pleasing aesthetically. But not a significant difference in user experience until it's gone altogether.

 

[cigz]

I mean it's cool they're finally making it smaller but to be honest I'd rather have it "skinnier" so it doesn't cut into the videos.

 

[Yr Blues]

I rather have a thin bezel at the top bottom and shove it all in there.

 

[MayaUser]

Meh. Is Apple really going to mention this during their keynote? It's in the menu bar area, so why should we care? We get an extra fraction of a fraction of an inch of our wallpaper? We don't have notification icons up there like on Android, so it could be a giant notch and the end effect is the same. It's always going to be something you forget is there until you want to watch a fullscreen video or play a game and then it's annoying, but not a deal breaker.

i have a lot of icons there , especially on the right...i would love to have another one or two, like the alarm on etc

 

[gleepskip]

We are not worthy of this incredible level of innovation.

 

[vertsix]

Anything that reduces the size of that eyesore the better.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Makes one wonder what sort of risks they take to leak this.

 

[WilliApple]

I’m wondering if the software will just make it bigger anyway.
Maybe it’s physically smaller but the software will make it the same size it is, and that’s what the disagreements are about.

 

[MayaUser]

iPhone 18 pro remember also must not steal the SHOW....it will be all about the iPhone fold

 

[lmddawson]

Meh. Is Apple really going to mention this during their keynote? It's in the menu bar area, so why should we care? We get an extra fraction of a fraction of an inch of our wallpaper? We don't have notification icons up there like on Android, so it could be a giant notch and the end effect is the same. It's always going to be something you forget is there until you want to watch a fullscreen video or play a game and then it's annoying, but not a deal breaker.

It’s literally part of the front of the phone, the part you look at every single day. Mac rumors users stay finding some way to complain

 

[MayaUser]

I’m wondering if the software will just make it bigger anyway.
Maybe it’s physically smaller but the software will make it the same size it is, and that’s what the disagreements are about.

they for sure it will make it shorter when is not in use. Probably more icons as well, otherwise why do it at all?

 

[cmontyburns]

Please stop calling it the Dynamic Island, Macrumors. We are talking about the front-facing camera and sensor module here. The Dynamic Island is the software feature. It gets smaller (and bigger) all the time. It's dynamic. This is hardware. It is not dynamic.

 

[Yr Blues]

Apple was BRAVE when they switched back to the all-screen MacBook Neo. I fully support that.

 

[kcwookie]

For me the island doesn’t matter. Is the 18 going to be an aluminum phone? Yes means hell no.

 

[hugogogo2003]

Please stop calling it the Dynamic Island, Macrumors. We are talking about the front-facing camera and sensor module here. The Dynamic Island is the software feature. It gets smaller (and bigger) all the time. It's dynamic. This is hardware. It is not dynamic.

This is consumer language. Everyone understands what it means.

 

[Cheruman]

It’s nice to hear positive news about an Island

 

[macjaffa]

Oh wow. Tim apple has really knocked it out the (Apple) park with this one well done to all the people who brought this marvel of wonder to fruition.

 

[alexandr]

Please stop calling it the Dynamic Island, Macrumors. We are talking about the front-facing camera and sensor module here. The Dynamic Island is the software feature. It gets smaller (and bigger) all the time. It's dynamic. This is hardware. It is not dynamic.

Please stop calling us Macrumors, we are individuals!

 

[uczcret]

Apple was BRAVE when they switched back to the all-screen MacBook Neo. I fully support that.

Have you seen the bezels on the MacBook Neo?

 

[JPack]

Please stop calling it the Dynamic Island, Macrumors. We are talking about the front-facing camera and sensor module here. The Dynamic Island is the software feature. It gets smaller (and bigger) all the time. It's dynamic. This is hardware. It is not dynamic.

The picture IS the Dynamic Island.

Without the DI, it would be simply be two distinct cutouts in the center - one for the RGB camera, one for the IR camera. The flood illuminator is now on the left.

Did you think the RGB and IR camera cutouts were naturally pill shaped?