iPhone 18 Pro Rumors: Smaller Dynamic Island and Under-Display Face ID Incoming?

The iPhone 18 Pro rumors are painting a picture of significant changes ahead, though we need to approach these claims with healthy skepticism. While some leakers are suggesting dramatic departures from Apple's current design philosophy, the most credible information points to more measured evolution rather than revolution. Here's what the rumor mill is actually telling us: A smaller Dynamic Island is expected in the iPhone 18 Pro, combined with potential under-display Face ID technology that could hide most of the TrueDepth hardware beneath the screen itself. The result? The Dynamic Island is getting smaller thanks to Face ID components moving under the display, potentially delivering the cleanest iPhone display we've ever seen. The under-display Face ID revolution Let's start with what seems most likely to actually happen. Apple may finally introduce under-screen Face ID on Pro models, hiding the complex TrueDepth camera system beneath the display surface. This isn't just wishful thinking—it's a logical progression of technology Apple has been working toward for years. The change would mean fewer visible apertures in the display, dramatically reducing what the Dynamic Island needs to conceal. Instead of the current pill-shaped cutout that houses multiple sensors, we could be looking at a much smaller implementation. There's a timeline caveat here that's worth noting. There has also been talk about an under-display Face ID system, though it has also been speculated that the feature could be delayed into 2027. Under-display technology is notoriously challenging to perfect while maintaining Apple's quality standards for Face ID accuracy and speed. PRO TIP: Under-display cameras and sensors typically sacrifice some image quality and performance compared to traditional cutouts. Apple likely won't ship this technology until it meets their exacting standards. What really happens to the Dynamic Island? Here's where things get more interesting and less certain. The Dynamic Island isn't disappearing—it's evolving. The Dynamic Island will shrink and relocate to accommodate the new corner camera cutout, but it'll maintain the software functionality that made it popular. Some rumors suggest more dramatic changes. According to Jon Prosser, the iPhone 18 Pro could shift the position of the front-facing camera from the middle to the top-left corner. In this scenario, the Dynamic Island will continue working as software-based camouflage for display holes, expanding to show notifications and information just like today. However, there's a significant credibility issue here. There is no top left camera for iPhone 18 Pro, according to more recent and reliable sources. Instead, the more likely scenario involves a smaller Dynamic Island in the traditional center position, made possible by under-display Face ID sensors. The credibility challenge with current leaks We need to address the elephant in the room regarding these more dramatic design rumors. While Prosser has been fairly good with his claims, he has occasionally made some massive errors. For context, Prosser provided incorrect renders of Mac mini designs and claimed to show early iOS interface changes that never materialized. More significantly, Apple is currently suing Prosser and colleague Michael Ramacciotti for allegedly misappropriating trade secrets. The lawsuit has continued and is expected to go before a jury if no settlement is reached. The bottom line? No one outside Apple and its secretive supply chain knows the final design until the iPhone 18 Pro launches or credible leaks emerge closer to the announcement. Confirmed improvements worth getting excited about Let's focus on what seems more certain. The iPhone 18 Pro should bring significant technical advances beyond display changes. The A20 Pro chip for iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be an especially big leap forward, representing Apple's first chip built with a cutting-edge 2nm process. Camera improvements for iPhone 18 Pro include a variable aperture main camera that offers greater control over depth-of-field. This mechanical aperture system would allow larger sensors for better low-light performance while preventing overexposure in bright conditions. Apple will keep giving users more of what they want by upping battery size again, building on the battery improvements introduced with recent iPhone generations. The connectivity story gets interesting too. Apple has officially started replacing Qualcomm's cellular modems with its own in-house solutions, with the C2 modem expected for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. This represents a major step in Apple's effort to control more of its hardware stack. The bigger picture for Apple's display evolution These rumored changes point to Apple's long-term vision of truly seamless displays. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to debut in September 2026, potentially representing the biggest display technology advancement since Face ID's introduction. What's particularly strategic is the differentiation Apple appears to be planning. Standard iPhone 18 models and the iPhone Air 2 will reportedly retain the traditional Dynamic Island, making the Pro models feel like a genuine technological leap rather than just incremental improvements. This approach mirrors Apple's strategy with ProMotion displays, advanced camera systems, and other Pro-exclusive features. By keeping under-display Face ID exclusive to Pro models initially, Apple creates clear value proposition differences while managing the technical and cost challenges of new technology. What this means for your upgrade timeline If you're considering when to upgrade, the iPhone 18 Pro timeline offers some planning clarity. Fall 2026 is still far away, giving current iPhone users plenty of time to decide whether these potential improvements justify waiting. The reality is that display technology improvements often take time to mature. Even if under-display Face ID arrives with the iPhone 18 Pro, first-generation implementations rarely match the performance of established solutions immediately. For most users, the iPhone 17 Pro launching in 2025 might represent the sweet spot of proven technology with meaningful improvements, while the iPhone 18 Pro could be worth waiting for if you're specifically interested in cutting-edge display technology. Whether these specific design changes actually materialize remains to be seen, but the iPhone 18 Pro represents Apple's continued push toward that long-promised vision of a display that feels like an uninterrupted window into your digital world. The question isn't whether Apple will eventually achieve this goal, but rather how close they'll get by 2026.