Apple is expected to shrink the Dynamic Island on the upcoming iPhone 18 lineup, making it one of the most notable display design changes since the feature’s debut. The company is reportedly working on a new design that reduces the footprint of the pill-shaped cutout, allowing more usable screen space without losing the feature’s functionality.
Apple’s suppliers are preparing display panels with smaller cutouts to accommodate this change. A leak on Weibo gives weight to the rumor, suggesting that refinements in sensor placement and hardware layout are driving the move toward a slimmer Dynamic Island.
The Dynamic Island was first introduced in 2022 with the iPhone 14 Pro models as a way to merge hardware cutouts with interactive software features. It expanded across the lineup with iPhone 15 and quickly became central to the iPhone experience, supporting Live Activities, music playback, and system alerts. However, its size has often been criticized for taking up too much display real estate compared to Android alternatives. A smaller version on iPhone 18 would address those complaints and offer a more immersive screen experience.
Shrinking the Dynamic Island could also serve as a stepping stone toward Apple’s long-term goal of integrating Face ID and the front-facing camera under the display. Other manufacturers such as Samsung and Xiaomi have attempted under-display solutions, but image quality and display clarity issues remain. Apple has historically waited until new technologies are ready for mass adoption, and this rumored change shows progress in miniaturizing sensors while maintaining reliable performance.
Based on Apple’s past strategy, this redesign would likely be applied across all iPhone 18 models instead of being limited to Pro devices. Standardizing such a feature ensures consistency for users and aligns with how Apple rolled out Dynamic Island across the iPhone family after its initial debut.
Industry watchers also expect Apple to pair the smaller Dynamic Island with thinner bezels and possible advances in OLED or microLED technology. Together, these refinements would deliver the most edge-to-edge display Apple has produced to date, further pushing the design closer to a seamless full-screen experience. For customers, this would mark the most visible display redesign since the notch gave way to Dynamic Island.
The iPhone 18 lineup is not expected until September 2026, but early reports from both MacRumors and Weibo suggest that display improvements are high on Apple’s agenda. If accurate, this smaller Dynamic Island could be one of the most meaningful changes for users who want more screen space without sacrificing functionality.
