Apple is still deciding what the front of the iPhone 18 Pro will look like, and the Dynamic Island sits right at the center of that uncertainty. New supply chain chatter suggests the company has not committed to shrinking it just yet, even as expectations around a smaller cutout continue to build.
What stands out here is not just the possibility of a redesign, but the fact that Apple is actively testing two distinct approaches this late in development. That alone signals that reducing the Dynamic Island is more complicated than it might seem, especially when it involves Face ID.
Recent leaks indicate that Apple is running parallel tests on two display configurations. One sticks with the current Dynamic Island design seen on recent Pro models, while the other experiments with a reduced cutout by shifting some Face ID components under the display. This partial under display setup would move key elements like the receiver and transmitter, while keeping other sensors visible for now.
The hesitation makes sense when you consider how Face ID works. It is not just a front camera but a full depth sensing system that maps a user’s face using infrared projection. That data is used across payments, app authentication, and system level security, so even minor inconsistencies can have real consequences.
Under display camera tech has already shown its limits on other devices, often trading clarity and reliability for a cleaner look. Apple’s situation is different because Face ID cannot afford those compromises. A slightly worse selfie camera might be acceptable, but slower or less accurate facial recognition is not.
This is why Apple tends to move in stages. Instead of removing the cutout entirely, the company appears to be testing a middle ground where some components go under the display while others remain exposed. Earlier reports have suggested that this could reduce the Dynamic Island size by roughly a third, but that outcome is far from confirmed.
The bigger takeaway is that the iPhone 18 Pro design is still in flux. A B testing at this stage is a normal part of Apple’s process, especially for components tied to display engineering and sensor performance. It allows the company to validate durability, manufacturing yield, and real world usability before locking things in.
Beyond the front design, the rest of the device is expected to remain relatively familiar. The rear camera layout is likely to carry over, with only subtle refinements to materials and finish. That points to a broader strategy of iterative updates rather than a full redesign this cycle.
(via Weibo)
