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New iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Under-Screen Face ID

Apple is nothing if not clever in the styling department.

iPhones are instantly recognizable when viewed from the front all because of the Notch or Dynamic Island.

This was a reason, an influencing factor in adding the Notch to MacBooks.

Oh sure they're each responsible for certain functions but to believe those couldn't be hidden behind the display to achieve a full screen uninterrupted view of videos and apps is to be in denial.

Just look at several Android models that hide cameras and components behind a full screen display such as the Sony Xperia 1 IV and Xiaomi Mi MIX 4.

The moment Apple eliminates the Dynamic Island or Notch, suddenly an iPhone is no longer instantly recognizable as an iPhone from the front view. Only the Apple logo on the back side identifies the device as an iPhone.
 
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So it'll just be the same as a 17 Pro Max except maybe smaller/redesigned dynamic island?

I don't want them to get rid of the Dynamic Island. I've always wanted a full screen display but the Dynamic Island actually has a use/functionality. It doesn't bother me at all. I didn't even hate the notch.
 
zenmacx said:
Apple is nothing if not clever in the styling department.

iPhones are instantly recognizable when viewed from the front all because of the Notch or Dynamic Island.

This was a reason, an influencing factor in adding the Notch to MacBooks.

Oh sure they're each responsible for certain functions but to believe those couldn't be hidden behind the display to achieve a full screen uninterrupted view of videos and apps is to be in denial.

Just look at several Android models that hide cameras and components behind a full screen display such as the Sony Xperia 1 IV and Xiaomi Mi MIX 4.

The moment Apple eliminates the Dynamic Island or Notch, suddenly an iPhone is no longer instantly recognizable as an iPhone from the front view. Only the Apple logo on the back side identifies the device as an iPhone.
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yup you can instantly tell an iphone from the notch/dynamic island AND the camera bump.

people like to hate on it (i hated the camera bumps) but Apple is ultimately a brand/fashion company. Their products are a "status symbol" and create trends. I thought AirPod Max looked silly at first but now everyone wants to be seen wearing them. Kids at school want an iPhone because all their friends have an iPhone.

People want to show off their devices and have people know how much money they spent on it. Ohh look at me I wear AirPods Max/Pro. Look at my Apple Watch! I have the LATEST iPhone because you can tell by the shape of the camera bump!

There are a lot of fakes of Apple's design but that's because how valuable and unique they are. You see someone with a smartwatch you can tell if it's an Apple Watch. You see someone with earphones you can tell if they are AirPods.

And of course there is the logo. It's no different from Nike, Adidas, Gucci, Audi, etc. People pay for the brand name/logo.
 
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Watching the Apple event video, it really looks like the 17 pro/max has a longer speaker cutout/grill. I haven’t seen anyone mention or verify this, if true.

iPhone 18 rumors already, really does crack me up.
 

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Might have a smaller dynamic island but overall think it will be a minor update only. Would like to see Apple continue to offer bright colors like the cosmic orange.
 
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i've never really believed under screen faceID will even possible now or in the future. Same with touchID at least with the same level of accuracy and security.
 
IceCool said:
I think this is the most likely scenario - and I think it has been the most likely scenario.

iPhone 18: Inherits Dynamic Island from the 2025 iPhone models
iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max: Smaller Dynamic Island

iPhone 19: Inherits Dynamic Island from the iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 20: Under Display

I truly believe that there was always a near-zero chance that Apple would ever release an iPhone with a hole punch cutout aligned to the leading edge of the device.

To further drive my point, this timeline is backed by history. For this example, I am omitting the mid-range flagship models (ie. iPhone XR, iPhone 13, iPhone 15) as they have their own timeline and are never the first to lead, making them redundant here.

The timeline is as follows:

The iPhone X (2017) introduced a notch that lasted a total of 4 years through the 2018, 2019, and 2020 iPhone models; shrunk in 2021 lasting 1 year before being eliminated by the Dynamic Island.

The iPhone 14 Pro (2022) introduced the Dynamic Island that lasted 4 years through the 2023, 2024, and 2025 iPhone models; shrunk in 2026 lasting 1 year before being eliminated by under display technology.*

That being said, only time will tell.
*Assuming current rumors prove true
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IMO it will depend on technological improvements.

And I don’t mean the capability of making it (they probably already can), I mean the capability of making it as good as the current solutions, and to make it cheap (they sell circa 230 billions of smartphones per year, making it even 50-cent cheaper would result in billions of revenues)
 
Chomp81 said:
I hope they repeat the Blue for the 18ProMax. The colour, the selfie camera and the 48MP with (cropped) 8x telephoto are the things that have made me hesitate to upgrade from 16PM to 17PM....

But I'll have self-control this year!
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Love blue. Ordered blue 17 PM. My 14 & 15 PM were blue too. Sadly I have doubts blue will return next year for the Pro if pre-order info is any clue. 2 days after pre-ordering started blue models are the only color still available for launch or launch +1 store pickup in many areas. That will change next Friday but right now blue is the easiest color to get launch weekend.

I also doubt we’ll see orange next year despite its popularity. It’s a one year fad color that seems fresh at the moment but its popularity will collapse by 6 months in.
 
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oneteam said:
I think this is article is a yearly copy and paste 🤣. Same "rumor" circulates after a new iPhone is released.
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New iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Under-Screen Face ID
New iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Under-Screen Face ID
New iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Under-Screen Face ID
New iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Under-Screen Face ID
New iPhone 19 and iPhone 19 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Under-Screen Face ID
New iPhone 20 and iPhone 20 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Under-Screen Face ID
New iPhone 21 and iPhone 21 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Under-Screen Face ID
New iPhone 22 and iPhone 22 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Under-Screen Face ID
 
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Aaaand this is why I refuse to wait for the 18 Pro. I've decided I'm just going to get the 17 Pro. It may not have the colors I want but the specs are perfect for my needs and if the 18 Pro ends up having any nice surprises like under display Face ID I'll just upgrade ahead of schedule.

Apple knows that once they finally manage to deliver an iPhone that corrects the original sin of the notch that they, themselves introduced to THE ENTIRE smartphone industry with the iPhone X, that is going to be peak iPhone and there is very little they'll be able to do to get people excited about future design improvements. So they are going to string us along with the hope of that mythical beast for as long as possible.
 
Siliconguy said:
Read the other comments. The 17 isn't even out yet and people are complaining about it and hoping that the 18 will do something. What this something might be is not discussed other than get rid of the despised notch.

Add to that all the complaining about the "lack of innovation". This is not a happy crowd.

You point out that you're not getting a 17. I just bought a Motorola G because that $129 phone still does more than I need, all of Apple's offerings are vastly overpriced. Even Samsung has a phone for less than $200.

I'm not buying an iPhone anytime soon. If everyone is so unhappy with the 17 then the easiest way (requiring no effort) to let Apple know is to not buy a 17. Apple will pick that message up loud and clear.
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Really has not been the case. In fact, pre-orders have been through the roof and this might be one of those rare super-cycles.

That’s great that a $200 phone works for you. It certainly would not be my preference.
 
I would expect the 18 lineup to be fairly mundane, as the foldable will certainly steal the show in terms of press attention and user conversation. Even though it will probably sell fewer units the 16 Plus.
 
transpo1 said:
Dynamic Island has never bothered me that much— I rarely watch movies on my 15 Pro Max, which is when it’s at its most annoying…I do find it helpful to see which apps are running but we also have Live Activities for that. Won’t miss it when it’s gone but fine either way.
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You find it helpful yet you won't miss it when it's gone?
 
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