Apple is preparing one of the biggest design changes in iPhone history. According to new reports from reliable leakers and the Korean ETNews, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max expected in the fall of 2026 will bring radical changes to the front of the device. The Dynamic Island is moving to the upper-left corner of the display, while Face ID will be completely hidden under the screen.
📖 Read more: iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red: The First Red Pro iPhone
📌 What Changes at a Glance: The iPhone 18 Pro will feature a smaller Dynamic Island in the upper-left corner, with Face ID hidden under the display thanks to new under-display IR technology.
This change marks Apple's next step toward the “perfect” iPhone with no notch or hole in the display. Let's take a detailed look at what we know so far about this revolutionary change.
📱 What Exactly Changes with the Dynamic Island?
According to well-known leaker Digital Chat Station from Weibo, the iPhone 18 series will be split into two categories regarding the Dynamic Island:
📱 iPhone 18
Base Model- Display6.27″
- TechnologyLTPO 120Hz
- Dynamic IslandClassic (center)
- Face IDIn Dynamic Island
📱 iPhone Air 2
Ultra-Thin- Display6.55″
- TechnologyLTPO 120Hz
- Dynamic IslandClassic (center)
- Face IDIn Dynamic Island
📱 iPhone 18 Pro
Pro - New Design- Display6.27″
- TechnologyLTPO+ 120Hz
- Dynamic IslandNew (upper-left)
- Face IDUnder display
📱 iPhone 18 Pro Max
Pro Max - New Design- Display6.86″
- TechnologyLTPO+ 120Hz
- Dynamic IslandNew (upper-left)
- Face IDUnder display
This differentiation means that the base models (iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2) will retain the traditional Dynamic Island at the center of the display, as we've known it since the iPhone 14 Pro onwards. In contrast, the Pro models will receive the new design with a smaller cutout and different placement.
🔍 Face ID Under the Display: How Does It Work?
The biggest technological innovation of the iPhone 18 Pro is the under-display IR technology that will allow Face ID to work beneath the screen. According to reports, Apple is collaborating with Samsung to develop special displays that allow Face ID's infrared rays to pass through the pixels.
The new technology is called LTPO+ and is an evolution of the existing LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) used in current iPhones. The advantages include:
- Improved energy efficiency - Longer battery life
- Better brightness - More vivid colors
- Thinner profile - A thinner iPhone
- Under-display IR - Invisible Face ID sensors
💡 Technical Detail: Face ID's infrared rays will pass through specially designed gaps between the pixels. Samsung is the only company that has managed to develop this technology at a sufficient quality level for Apple.
📍 Why Upper-Left and Not Center?
The decision to move the front camera (and consequently the new, smaller Dynamic Island) to the upper-left corner seems odd at first glance. However, Apple has good reasons:
- More screen space - The center placement “cuts” a significant portion of the content. On the edge, the impact is smaller.
- Better aesthetics for video - When watching video in landscape orientation, the cutout on the edge is less distracting.
- Design consistency - Most Android manufacturers have already adopted this placement.
- Future evolution - It's easier to hide a small hole on the edge than in the center.
Well-known leaker Jon Prosser recently published a video with a mockup showing what the new design will look like. The Dynamic Island appears significantly smaller and "shorter" than the current one, as it no longer needs to house the Face ID sensors.
🤔 What Happens with the Dynamic Island's Functions?
This is the big question on many users' minds. The Dynamic Island is not just a cutout - it's a functional element that displays Live Activities, now playing information, timers, and much more.
According to reports, Apple plans to make the Dynamic Island "more dynamic" on the iPhone 18 Pro. This means:
- It will appear only when needed (Live Activities, now playing, etc.)
- When not in use, it will be practically invisible - only the small camera hole will be visible
- Animations will be more fluid thanks to the new LTPO+ technology
⚠️ Note: It's not yet clear whether the Dynamic Island will visually “expand” from the upper-left corner or if it will work in an entirely new way. Apple is keeping the details under wraps.
📅 Dynamic Island Evolution Timeline
September 2022 - iPhone 14 Pro
First appearance of the Dynamic Island. Replaces the notch on Pro models.
September 2023 - iPhone 15
The Dynamic Island comes to all models, not just the Pro.
September 2024 - iPhone 16
Software improvements with more Live Activities.
September 2025 - iPhone 17
The Dynamic Island remains unchanged. Rumors of a change for the iPhone 18.
September 2026 - iPhone 18 Pro (expected)
Smaller Dynamic Island in the upper-left corner. Face ID under the display.
📊 Comparison: iPhone 17 Pro vs iPhone 18 Pro
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro | iPhone 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Island | Center, pill-shaped | Upper-left, smaller |
| Face ID | Inside Dynamic Island | Under the display |
| Display | LTPO 120Hz | LTPO+ 120Hz (Samsung) |
| Processor | A19 Pro (3nm) | A20 Pro (2nm) |
| Camera | 48MP + 48MP + 12MP | Variable aperture lens (possible) |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB or more |
💭 Our Opinion
Moving the Dynamic Island to the upper-left corner is a bold decision from Apple. On one hand, it shows that the company is ready to evolve the design it introduced just 4 years ago. On the other hand, there's a risk of losing some of the Dynamic Island's “magic.”
The real question is: Will the new design be as functional as the current one? Seeing Live Activities on the edge of the screen instead of the center may require some adjustment.
However, Apple has proven time and again that it knows how to make changes feel natural. If it manages to maintain functionality while offering more screen space, then this change will be positive for users.
We'll have to wait until September 2026 to see the final implementation. Until then, we expect more leaks and information about what promises to be the biggest iPhone design change in years.
