iPhone 18 Rumors: Slimmer Dynamic Island and What It Means for Face ID

The iPhone 17 may be dominating headlines with record-breaking pre-orders, but attention is already shifting toward what Apple might have in store for 2026. Early rumors about the iPhone 18 suggest that Apple could be preparing a major refinement of its front-facing design, specifically the controversial Dynamic Island. This feature, which replaced the notch in 2022, has become a signature part of the iPhone experience, yet whispers from industry insiders hint at a significant redesign.

According to reliable Weibo tipster Instant Digital, the iPhone 18 could feature a slimmer, narrower pill-shaped cutout, reducing the footprint of the Dynamic Island.

If true, the result would mean even more usable display space at the top of the screen – a subtle but potentially game-changing improvement for everyday use. The reported change would be enabled by smaller internal components, leaving Apple with less to conceal behind the darkened area. Importantly, though, this leak suggests Apple is not yet ready to roll out a full under-display Face ID or front camera solution. That means users hoping for a completely seamless edge-to-edge panel may have to wait longer.

The possibility of under-screen technology remains a hot topic. Other smartphone makers have experimented with placing cameras and sensors beneath the display, but the results often include trade-offs like reduced image quality or slower recognition. Apple’s approach to Face ID has always emphasized reliability and speed, so rushing into an under-display version before it meets their performance standards seems unlikely. For now, the Dynamic Island remains the practical solution – albeit one Apple appears keen to shrink further.

Interestingly, another insider, Digital Chat Station, suggested earlier this year that Apple might test under-display Face ID specifically on the iPhone 18 Pro model, keeping the standard iPhone 18 with a slimmer cutout. If accurate, this could mirror Apple’s strategy of reserving experimental features for Pro buyers first, as seen previously with ProMotion displays and the telephoto lens.

For everyday users, the Dynamic Island has already become normalized. Many report barely noticing it anymore, especially as Apple has smartly integrated notifications and interactive controls into the space. Still, the dream of a fully uninterrupted screen remains appealing, particularly for media consumption and gaming. Apple’s careful, incremental improvements suggest that while the company is not rushing headlong into radical design changes, it is steadily working toward the long-promised edge-to-edge future. If the iPhone 18 truly delivers a more compact Dynamic Island without compromising performance, it may represent the most practical balance between ambition and user experience yet.