A new report from Weibo user highlights Apple’s continued work on refining the screen technology for the iPhone 18 Pro.
According to the rumor, Apple is testing a new way to reduce the size of the display cutout needed for the front-facing camera.
The rumor comes from Weibo user Digital Chat Station, who has previously shared accurate iPhone rumors. This time around, however, the social media post is especially vague and leaves a lot up to interpretation — especially when working through the oddities of translating the post.
The claim focuses on Apple’s use of a HIAA, or hole-in-active-area, technology. This is a display manufacturing technique where a tiny hole or aperture is laser-drilled directly in the active pixel area of the OLED panel to allow a front-facing camera to sit behind it. It is meant to replace larger, more visible cutouts like the Dynamic Island or notch.
For the iPhone 18 Pro, this Weibo rumor says Apple is testing a smaller, hole-punch design for the display.
What remains unclear is whether the iPhone 18 Pro is still on track to have under-display Face ID. Earlier this year, The Information reported that the iPhone 18 Pro would “include only a small hole cutout in the top-left corner to accommodate the front-facing camera.” The Face ID components, meanwhile, would be moved under the display itself.
Today’s rumor makes no mention of Face ID one way or the other. It does, however, say, “the screen form factor” will change.
The rumor also corroborates previous claims about the iPhone 18 Pro, including the use of a variable aperture Main camera for the first time. The camera plateau design is expected to remain unchanged compared to the iPhone 17 Pro, while the glass MagSafe cutout will have a new “transparent design.” My guess is that means it will blend in better with the rest of the phone, not that it will literally be “transparent.”
Finally, the report says the iPhone 18 Pro will use a “steel-cased battery for the first time.” Again, it’s not particularly clear what this is referring to since the iPhone 17 Pro already uses a stainless steel vapor chamber.
Separately, an analyst report from JP Morgan this week says the entire iPhone 18 lineup will feature a 24MP front-facing camera. This includes the iPhone Fold, which will have an under-display camera.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Fold in September 2026. I expect more rumors and clarity to emerge as we get closer to the official launch. As it stands right now, there are clearly some key details about the new devices that haven’t yet been ironed out.
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