Latest iPhone 18 Pro Leak Corroborated by Respected Former Analyst

[MacRumors]

Respected veteran display analyst Ross Young has added his support to a new leak today about the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design.

In a new post on X (Twitter), the now-retired Counterpoint Research VP said that Chinese leaker Instant Digital's latest explanation of how Apple will shrink the Dynamic Island is what he was alluding to in a report last year.

Back in June 2025, Young said that while some parts of Apple's Face ID system would move under the display on iPhone 18 Pro models, the devices would retain visible Face ID elements – meaning the Dynamic Island would persist, albeit in a smaller form than on the iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 17 Pro.

That's effectively what Instant Digital claimed earlier today: the leaker explained that only the IR flood illuminator would move under the display to the top-left corner, while the dot projector, infrared camera, and selfie camera would remain housed in a reduced, centered Dynamic Island. Another Chinese leaker has since backed the claim, which also corresponds to reporting last year by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Young's corroboration directly contradicts a recent report by The Information's Wayne Ma that said Apple would move the selfie camera to the top-left corner of the iPhone 18 Pro's display, resulting in a hole-punch cutout and the removal of the pill-shaped Dynamic Island.

It seems increasingly likely that details from Ma's sources were either lost in translation or misinterpreted, possibly due to partial knowledge of an under-display Face ID component.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models in September.

Article Link: Latest iPhone 18 Pro Leak Corroborated by Respected Former Analyst

 

[surfzen21]

I hope they call it the mini pill. 🙃

 

[HouseLannister]

I think this is a controlled leak from Apple. Too many articles and posts trying to discredit the mistranslation and Prosser's speculation in such a short window of time. It's fascinating how quickly Apple can mobilize resources to course correct without ever saying anything on the record.

 

[dustin_]

this design seemed obvious from the very beginning. they’re not gonna move the island just to kill it off the next generation. it shrinks, then dies, like the notch before.

 

[Royksöpp]

Shrinking it will make absolutely zero difference in terms of screen real estate. It was the same story when they reduced the size of the notch with the 13, it made no difference!

 

[satchmo]

I hope they call it the mini pill. 🙃

I could see Apple branding this as a Dynamic Islet.

 

[JPack]

Understand Wayne Ma from The Information also wrote in 2024 the iPhone Air would be priced above the Pro Max. The Information simply isn’t as well versed at processing supply chain info as the Weibo leakers.

 

[orbital~debris]

Ah, feels like Ross Young retiring should have been a post here on MR? Maybe I missed it…

Anyway – if you're reading this Mr. Young: I hope you enjoy your retirement!

 

[transpo1]

this design seemed obvious from the very beginning. they’re not gonna move the island just to kill it off the next generation. it shrinks, then dies, like the notch before.

The question is: will they kill it off entirely for the 20th Anniversary edition iPhone, if there is such a thing?

 

[transpo1]

I could see Apple branding this as a Dynamic Islet.

The Dynamic Reef 🪸 🏄‍♂️ 😂

What’s interesting is, I actually find the DI incredibly useful to access active apps on my iPhone— the UI allows me to see active Music, Voice Memos, etc. Wondering how they will replace this functionality when it’s finally gone.

 

[hieranonymous]

It makes more sense that Apple would continue to shrink the current cutout until they can get rid of it altogether than temporarily move the cutout to a different location.

 

[Reeneman]

I hope they call it the mini pill. 🙃

This is the smartest and most well shaped Dynamic Island we’ve ever created.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

In spite of our climate efforts sea levels continue to rise. To mirror this change in our products, we have reduced the "land" area of Dynamic Island.

 

[Sandstorm]

Hope this is true, never liked the idea of corner camera.

 

[validoj]

Respected veteran display analyst Ross Young has added his support to a new leak today about the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design.

In a new post on X (Twitter), the now-retired Counterpoint Research VP said that Chinese leaker Instant Digital's latest explanation of how Apple will shrink the Dynamic Island is what he was alluding to in a report last year.

Back in June 2025, Young said that while some parts of Apple's Face ID system would move under the display on iPhone 18 Pro models, the devices would retain visible Face ID elements – meaning the Dynamic Island would persist, albeit in a smaller form than on the iPhone 14 Pro through iPhone 17 Pro.

That's effectively what Instant Digital claimed earlier today: the leaker explained that only the IR flood illuminator would move under the display to the top-left corner, while the dot projector, infrared camera, and selfie camera would remain housed in a reduced, centered Dynamic Island. Another Chinese leaker has since backed the claim, which also corresponds to reporting last year by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Young's corroboration directly contradicts a recent report by The Information's Wayne Ma that said Apple would move the selfie camera to the top-left corner of the iPhone 18 Pro's display, resulting in a hole-punch cutout and the removal of the pill-shaped Dynamic Island.

It seems increasingly likely that details from Ma's sources were either lost in translation or misinterpreted, possibly due to partial knowledge of an under-display Face ID component.

Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models in September.

Article Link: Latest iPhone 18 Pro Leak Corroborated by Respected Former Analyst

From fish oil to Tylenol 👍

 

[tomtad]

this design seemed obvious from the very beginning. they’re not gonna move the island just to kill it off the next generation. it shrinks, then dies, like the notch before.

Agreed. Live Activities, which is essentially what the DI is, aren't going anywhere. I feel we'll get some minor improvements to the experience, just a single and double Live Activities being able to display more information, but apart from that it will behave exactly as now.

 

[Zeus2018]

After nearly a decade since the notch debuted in 2017, Apple’s boldest move here is apparently shoving one minor Face ID component (the IR flood illuminator) under the display while keeping the selfie camera, dot projector, and IR camera front and center in a reduced but still-obvious island—it’s the definition of half-hearted progress.

More of the same is alive and well at Apple. Next, it’ll be reported that the iPhone 18 will be heavier again this year—oh wait, that’s already been rumored.

 

[Zenman12]

The question is how much smaller and pill shaped or more circular? I’m assuming the length will stay the same. Not the width.

 

[froot1988]

not very much progress in all those years but hey, at least the software is great and not buggy

 

[Zenman12]

this design seemed obvious from the very beginning. they’re not gonna move the island just to kill it off the next generation. it shrinks, then dies, like the notch before.

I’m betting it doesn’t totally die. It’s not there when you’re not using apps. If timer or music or whatever is going on, the island will pop up and then disappear after it stops. With Apple’s bouncy animations.

 

[Zenman12]

Shrinking it will make absolutely zero difference in terms of screen real estate. It was the same story when they reduced the size of the notch with the 13, it made no difference!

Technically, it does. More active pixels are on the screen. But realistically, no. It still breaks immersion for videos.

 

[Yr Blues]

Can't innovate anymore, my ass.

 

[cigz]

If they are right that only the flood illuminator will be behind the screen then I would love to see how much smaller the dynamic island's gonna be as this small thing between IR camera and dot projector is flood illuminator lol
That will barely make any difference. I'd rather see them moving flood illuminator AND dot projector behind the screen, if that's possible.

 

[blairh]

So Prosser was wrong. Again.

 

[Paddle1]

Ross has said in the past that there will be a display cutout until 2030. Maybe next year's phone won't have an uninterrupted display after all.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937015059806609548