While the iPhone 17 Pro introduced a bold rear redesign featuring a horizontal camera bar, the front remained the same, sporting the same Dynamic Island that debuted in 2022. Rumors about what's in store for the iPhone 18 Pro have been confusing at best, but a fresh leak from a reputable source offers a glimmer of hope.
Smaller Dynamic Island is back on the table
Don't rule out a smaller Dynamic Island for the iPhone 18 series just yet. | Image by Weibo
According to a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo by leaker Ice Universe, the entire iPhone 18 lineup will feature a shrunken Dynamic Island, even as the bezel size remains unchanged.
Given that flagships already boast incredibly thin borders, most buyers are unlikely to lament the lack of bezel reduction. Instead, the prospect of a more compact, less intrusive pill is a welcome development.
An image shared by Ice offers a visual comparison of the iPhone 18's Dynamic Island, showing a significantly smaller cutout.
The iPhone 18's Dynamic Island has shrunk. | Image by Ice Universe
Better than nothing
The journey to this supposed design has been a roller coaster.
Initially, the iPhone 18 Pro was expected to have a punch-hole cutout on the left for the front-facing camera as Face ID was rumored to move beneath the screen.
Later rumors said Apple would only shrink the Dynamic Island by putting the Face ID dot illuminator under the screen and miniaturizing the front camera. The dot projector and infrared camera, along with the front camera, was expected to remain housed in a smaller Dynamic Island.
So, while the iPhone 18 series will still look largely the same as the iPhone 17, at least there will be some changes compared to the previous generation, even if they won't be as drastic as earlier leaks hinted.
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What's the best front design on a phone?
Uniform bezels all around.
19.28%
The iPhone 17 Pro's Dynamic Island.
8.43%
Rumored smaller Dynamic Island.
13.25%
Punch-hole cutout.
13.25%
Under-display front camera.
45.78%
83 Votes
Plenty to look forward to
Design changes aside, the iPhone 18 Pro is still shaping up to be a compelling update, with upgrades such as a 2nm chipset, better battery life, camera changes, and a greater share of in-house chips for improved efficiency.
Only the Pro models are likely to be released this year, with the standard variants following next year.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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