The iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island is shrinking, according to leaked images that show Apple finally addressing a design stagnation that has frustrated users and app developers for three years. The pill-shaped cutout, which debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022 and expanded to all iPhone models by 2023, has remained virtually unchanged despite widespread calls for a smaller footprint. These leaks suggest Apple’s 2026 flagship will deliver the cutout redesign that should have arrived years ago.
Key Takeaways
- Leaked iPhone 18 Pro images show a noticeably smaller Dynamic Island compared to current models.
- The Dynamic Island has remained largely unchanged since its 2022 debut on the iPhone 14 Pro.
- Mark Gurman reports Apple plans to shrink the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18.
- Wayne Ma reports the iPhone 18 Pro may feature a small pinhole cutout with under-display Face ID sensors.
- iPhone 17 series (fall 2025) will not see significant Dynamic Island changes, per analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
What the iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island redesign actually means
A smaller iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island addresses one of the most persistent complaints about modern iPhones: the oversized pill-shaped cutout that dominates the top center of the display. The Dynamic Island currently houses the Face ID sensor array and front-facing camera, occupying roughly 390 pixels of horizontal screen real estate on current models. Shrinking it would reclaim valuable display space and reduce the visual intrusion that has forced app developers to redesign layouts around the cutout for four consecutive iPhone generations.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will shrink the Dynamic Island in the iPhone 18, a move that aligns with the company’s broader strategy to miniaturize front-facing hardware. The Information’s Wayne Ma reported that the iPhone 18 and 18 Pro may feature only a small pinhole cutout in the top-left corner, with Face ID sensors hidden under the display. This represents a significant departure from the current centered design and suggests Apple is finally willing to move beyond the pill-shaped aesthetic that has defined iPhones since 2022.
Why iPhone 17 won’t fix this problem
Patience is required. The iPhone 17 series, launching in fall 2025, will not address the Dynamic Island size issue. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated in January 2025 that he expects the Dynamic Island size to remain largely unchanged across the iPhone 17 lineup. This means anyone hoping for a smaller cutout this year will be disappointed. Apple is clearly reserving the Dynamic Island redesign for the iPhone 18, which is at least 18 months away from the iPhone 17’s autumn debut.
The delay between iPhone 17 and 18 cutout changes reflects the engineering complexity involved. Shrinking or repositioning the Dynamic Island requires not just hardware redesign but also software and user interface adaptation. Apple would need to rebuild how Dynamic Island notifications, alerts, and interactive elements display across iOS, a task that cannot be rushed without creating compatibility issues or degrading functionality.
The under-display Face ID wildcard
The most intriguing aspect of the iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island shrinking is the possibility of under-display Face ID technology. Wayne Ma reported that the iPhone 18 and 18 Pro may shift to a small pinhole cutout with Face ID sensors positioned beneath the display glass. This would be a dramatic shift from the current architecture and would explain why Apple is willing to change the Dynamic Island design after years of consistency.
Under-display Face ID has been technically possible for years—Samsung and other Android manufacturers have experimented with it—but Apple has prioritized Face ID accuracy and speed over a completely bezel-free design. Moving Face ID sensors under the display requires solving optical and sensor placement challenges that could impact authentication reliability. If Apple has cracked this problem by 2026, the iPhone 18 Pro would gain a genuine hardware advantage that justifies the redesign effort.
Android competitors already tried this—with mixed results
Android phones have used under-display cameras and sensors for several years, but results have been underwhelming. Samsung’s under-display camera on the Galaxy Z Fold series produces noticeably softer selfies compared to traditional cutout designs. Google’s Pixel phones maintain a visible camera cutout despite years of opportunity to hide it. This suggests that shrinking or hiding front-facing hardware comes with optical trade-offs that Apple will need to navigate carefully. If the iPhone 18 Pro’s smaller Dynamic Island comes at the cost of Face ID speed or accuracy, the upgrade loses its appeal.
What shrinking the Dynamic Island actually solves
A smaller iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island would eliminate a persistent friction point for app developers. For nearly three years, developers have had to design interfaces that accommodate a large pill-shaped obstruction in the center-top of the display. Notification banners, status indicators, and video players all need to account for the cutout’s presence. A smaller Dynamic Island would free up screen real estate and simplify UI design, though Apple would still need to ensure backward compatibility with apps built around the current larger cutout.
For users, the visual benefit is straightforward: more usable display. The iPhone’s screen real estate would feel less compromised by a hardware necessity. Whether this justifies waiting until 2026 for the upgrade is another question—iPhone 17 buyers will need to accept that their phones will have the same large Dynamic Island as the iPhone 15 and 16.
When will the iPhone 18 Pro actually arrive?
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch in fall 2026, following Apple’s traditional September announcement cadence. That timeline aligns with reports that under-display Face ID technology, which may power the Dynamic Island shrinking, was delayed from the iPhone 16 Pro to 2026 or 2027. Leaks and rumors will likely intensify throughout 2025 and early 2026, with more detailed images and specifications emerging from supply chain sources as production ramps up.
Is the Dynamic Island actually going away?
Probably not entirely. Despite rumors of a full under-display camera design, the iPhone 18 Pro will almost certainly retain some form of cutout or pinhole for Face ID sensors. Completely eliminating the cutout would require moving Face ID sensors to the display bezels—a step backward in terms of design language. The goal appears to be shrinking the Dynamic Island to a minimal pinhole, not erasing it completely. Apple’s design philosophy prioritizes Face ID prominence and reliability, which means some visible hardware accommodation will remain.
FAQ
Will the iPhone 17 have a smaller Dynamic Island?
No. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo confirmed in January 2025 that the iPhone 17 series will have a Dynamic Island size that remains largely unchanged from current models. The smaller cutout is expected only on the iPhone 18, arriving in 2026.
What is the iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island expected to look like?
According to The Information’s Wayne Ma, the iPhone 18 Pro may feature a small pinhole cutout in the top-left corner instead of the current centered pill shape, with Face ID sensors hidden beneath the display. However, leaked images remain unverified and could be renders or fakes.
Why did Apple wait so long to shrink the Dynamic Island?
Shrinking or repositioning the cutout requires redesigning the software interface, app compatibility layers, and notification systems built around the current Dynamic Island design. Apple also needed to advance under-display Face ID technology to a point where it matched the speed and accuracy of the current sensor array, a process that took several years of development.
The iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island shrinking represents a long-overdue design refresh that should have arrived sooner, but the engineering and software challenges involved explain the delay. Whether the wait is worth it depends on whether Apple’s under-display Face ID technology delivers on its promise without compromising the reliability users expect from Face ID authentication.
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: Tom's Guide
