Apple may be preparing to shrink the Dynamic Island on next year’s iPhone 18 Pro models.
According to Bloomberg, alongside several well-known leakers, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to feature a smaller cut-out at the top of the display. However, the Dynamic Island itself isn’t going anywhere just yet.
Rumours around the Island’s future have been circulating for over a year. At one point, reports suggested Apple could move fully to under-display Face ID, ditching the Dynamic Island entirely in favour of a simple hole-punch camera. That now looks unlikely for 2026. Instead, the more consistent chatter in late 2025 and early 2026 points to a refinement rather than a removal.
Apple is reportedly planning to move the Face ID dot illuminator under the display, which would allow the visible cut-out to shrink. At the same time, improvements in front-facing camera miniaturisation could further reduce the space required. The front camera, infrared camera and dot projector are still expected to sit within the Dynamic Island. Therefore, the interactive software element would remain intact.
It’s worth noting that similar rumours surfaced ahead of the iPhone 17 Pro launch, only for the design to stay the same. However, when multiple independent sources begin aligning this close to a launch cycle, it typically suggests something is in motion. Even if the final change ends up subtle, this kind of consensus is unusual.
Long term, Apple is widely believed to be working toward a completely uninterrupted display — essentially a slab of glass with no visible cut-outs. That milestone could align with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027. For now, though, the iPhone 18 Pro looks set to take a smaller step forward rather than a dramatic leap.
