Several sources have published photos of an alleged iPhone 18 Pro prototype and screen protectors for it. The images confirm earlier rumors: Apple plans to noticeably shrink the Dynamic Island — the interactive cutout at the top of the screen. If the leaks are accurate, the “island” will become approximately 35% more compact than in current models. The announcement is still about six months away, and this is unconfirmed information for now — but the number of corroborating sources is growing.
The iPhone 18 Pro will feature a new Dynamic Island. Image: 9to5mac.com
What Is Dynamic Island on iPhone and Why This Technology Matters
Dynamic Island debuted in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro. It’s the area at the top of the screen that conceals the front-facing camera and Face ID sensors. But the “island” isn’t just a cutout: it can change shape, display notifications, control music, navigation, timers, and other active processes on the fly, without needing to open an app.
The technology first appeared in the iPhone 14 Pro. Image: 9to5mac.com
Starting with the iPhone 15, Dynamic Island appeared across all iPhone models, not just Pro versions. However, over the past three-plus years its physical size has never changed — the cutout has remained identical in every generation.
That’s precisely why rumors about a size reduction have generated such interest: this would be the first significant change to the iPhone front panel design in several years.
How the iPhone 18 Pro Design Will Change — What Leaks Show
An X (formerly Twitter) user with the handle @earlyappleleaks posted a photo allegedly showing an iPhone 18 Pro prototype. In the image, another iPhone’s flash illuminates a small round cutout beneath the screen — presumably a relocated Face ID component. The account is new and lacks a verified track record of accurate predictions, so this particular leak should be treated with caution.
A dot is visible in the corner. It’s one of the Face ID elements that has moved under the display. Image: x.com
However, that image matched up with photos of a screen protector for the iPhone 18 Pro published by insider Ice Universe — a source with a more reliable reputation in the Apple leak community. The screen protector clearly shows that the cutout for the “island” is significantly smaller than on current models. Similar images have been circulating widely on Chinese social media.
New screen protectors leaked earlier. Image: gizmochina.com
Another well-known insider — Majin Bu — estimates the Dynamic Island reduction at roughly 35% compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. The very fact that accessory manufacturers have already begun producing screen protectors with the new dimensions indicates high industry confidence in these changes.
Why the Dynamic Island on iPhone 18 Pro Will Be Smaller
Here’s how the cutout will look compared to current iPhones. Image: macobserver.com
The key technical change is the partial relocation of Face ID components under the display. Currently, the “island” cutout houses the front-facing camera, infrared dot projector, and infrared camera — all necessary for facial recognition. Apple will apparently move the infrared flood illuminator (which lights up the face with invisible light for Face ID to work in the dark) under the display. This will allow the cutout to shrink without sacrificing unlock security.
That said, Apple still can’t fully hide all Face ID sensors under the display — the quality of the front-facing camera and some sensors doesn’t meet the company’s standards when placed beneath the screen. So we’re not talking about the cutout disappearing entirely, but rather about it shrinking. Dynamic Island will remain — it’ll just become noticeably more compact.
Smaller Dynamic Island Across All iPhone 18 Models — Not Just Pro
According to Ice Universe, the smaller “island” won’t be limited to Pro models — the entire iPhone 18 lineup will get it. Meanwhile, screen bezels are expected to remain the same as on iPhone 17 — no changes are anticipated there. It’s worth noting that there isn’t complete consensus among insiders. Earlier in March, leaks emerged casting doubt on the Dynamic Island reduction.
However, the latest data — prototype photos, screen protectors, and matching estimates from multiple sources — lean in favor of this change. It’s important to remember: all of this is still rumors. Apple has officially confirmed nothing, and the final design may differ from prototypes.
When Will iPhone 18 Pro Launch and What Will It Be Like
The announcement of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected in fall 2026 — presumably in September. Alongside them, Apple is rumored to unveil its first foldable iPhone. The base iPhone 18, however, may arrive later — only in spring 2027. This is part of Apple’s new strategy of splitting the lineup launch into two stages.
Beyond the smaller “island,” insiders list among the expected iPhone 18 Pro innovations an A20 Pro processor built on 2nm technology and a camera with a variable aperture — a mechanism that physically adjusts the amount of light reaching the sensor, improving photo quality in different lighting conditions.
Is It Worth Waiting for iPhone 18 Pro Because of the New Design
A 35% reduction in Dynamic Island is a noticeable but not revolutionary change. In practice, users will get slightly more usable screen area at the top and a visually “cleaner” design. Functionally, the “island” will work the same way — displaying active processes, notifications, and playback controls.
