Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro lineup is already generating buzz, with fresh leaks shedding light on how the company may refine its front display design. Contrary to earlier reports that suggested Apple would completely remove the Dynamic Island in favour of a punch-hole cutout, new information indicates a more subtle evolution rather than a full redesign.
According to a new claim from a well-known Weibo tipster, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to retain a Dynamic Island, but in a noticeably smaller form. The front-facing selfie camera is said to remain centrally aligned within this reduced Dynamic Island, maintaining the familiar visual symmetry seen on recent Pro models. Only select Face ID components may be repositioned slightly toward the left side of the display, which would allow Apple to shrink the overall cutout without abandoning it entirely.
This clarification comes after earlier leaks were reportedly misinterpreted, leading to speculation that the entire Dynamic Island would shift to the left side of the screen. Display industry expert Ross Young has also supported the idea that not all Face ID hardware will move under the display just yet. As a result, Apple is expected to stick with a smaller notch-style solution through at least 2026 and 2027, refining the experience gradually rather than introducing a radical change.
In terms of hardware, the iPhone 18 Pro is rumoured to feature a 6.27-inch LTPO OLED display, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max could arrive with a larger 6.86-inch panel. Both models are expected to support a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Internally, Apple may equip the Pro models with 12GB LPDDR5x RAM, an upgraded 18-megapixel front camera with a 6P lens, and a new C2 modem. On the rear, users can expect a triple-camera system, reportedly consisting of three 48-megapixel sensors including a primary camera, an ultra-wide lens, and a periscope telephoto shooter.
Apple originally introduced the Dynamic Island with the iPhone 14 Pro series in 2022, replacing the traditional notch with an interactive pill-shaped cutout that displays live activities, alerts, and system interactions. With the iPhone 18 Pro series, Apple appears set to refine this feature further rather than eliminate it altogether. The new lineup is widely expected to launch in September 2026, following Apple’s traditional release cycle.