In summary:
- Macworld reports that spy shots reveal the iPhone 18 Pro may feature a significantly smaller Dynamic Island, with the pill portion potentially half the current size.
- This reduction represents Apple’s progress toward eventually placing all Face ID components and front camera beneath the display for a seamless screen experience.
- The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to launch in September with this refined design that maximizes usable screen real estate.
It’s no secret that 2026 is a big year for the iPhone. The new Siri that was promised in 2024 is almost certain to arrive, we’re likely getting our first look at the first folding iPhone, and Apple will reportedly shift the iPhone 18 release to next spring to put more attention on the iPhone 18 Pro.
According to rumors, the biggest change coming to the Pro phones will be a smaller Dynamic Island. For the first time since the camera cutout was introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple is reportedly going to shrink the size when it’s not in use, so it takes up less of your screen when watching videos.
IceUniverse/X
Thanks to a spy shot published by noted leaker IceUniverse on X (above), we have our first look at how much smaller the Dynamic Island could be. According to the pic, the pill portion of the Dynamic Island appears to be about half the size of the current cutout, so it should be noticeably smaller once Apple digitally stitches it together with the hole-punch camera.
If you hold your iPhone at an angle, you’ll be able to see the two cutouts to get an idea of how much space you’ll be getting back. It probably won’t be all that noticeable—think of it more like an inlet than an island—but it’s one step closer to Apple’s ultimate goal of putting all Face ID components and the front camera under the display.
Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro in September.
Author: Michael Simon, Executive Editor, Macworld
Michael Simon has been covering Apple for more than 20 years. He started covering rumors with Spymac when the iPod was the iWalk, and has owned nearly every iPhone Apple has ever made. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, son, and far too many gadgets.