Apple appears to be taking another major step toward the “all-screen” iPhone vision, and the iPhone 18 Pro lineup could be the next big move. New rumors suggest Apple is preparing to shrink the Dynamic Island significantly on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, thanks to display upgrades that may finally allow under-screen Face ID.
The key change being discussed is a move to LTPO+ OLED panels, which are believed to help Apple hide more of the TrueDepth system beneath the display. If Apple can successfully place Face ID components under the screen without compromising performance, it would allow the company to reduce the visible cutout and push closer to a cleaner, more immersive full-screen design.
How much smaller could the Dynamic Island get? The latest leak points to a sizeable 35 percent reduction. Based on the comparison being shared, the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro models could shrink to around 13.49mm, down from roughly 20.76mm. That’s a meaningful difference in day-to-day use, especially for people who watch videos, play games, or simply want a more uninterrupted display. A smaller cutout also contributes to a higher screen-to-body ratio, which is often one of the most noticeable “new phone” upgrades when you see the device in person.
Importantly, a smaller Dynamic Island doesn’t automatically mean Apple will copy the common punch-hole approach seen on many Android phones. The speculation suggests Apple may avoid going fully punch-hole for now, likely to preserve its own visual identity and avoid comparisons that it’s following competitors. Instead, the company could keep the familiar pill-style design—just much smaller—while transitioning more hardware under the panel.
Beyond design, the iPhone 18 Pro series could also lean on big performance headlines. The A20 and A20 Pro are rumored to be Apple’s first 2nm chipsets, a potential milestone that could deliver gains in speed and efficiency. If that happens, Apple would have plenty of room to market not just raw performance, but also architectural improvements compared to the A19 generation—something that tends to resonate with buyers who upgrade for power, battery life, and long-term smoothness.
There’s also a practical reason this rumor matters: under-display Face ID has been difficult across the industry, largely because facial authentication needs clear sensor access to your face. If Apple truly has working prototypes where Face ID remains accurate behind the display layer, it suggests the company may have solved one of the biggest technical barriers to a truly uninterrupted iPhone screen.
Adding to the intrigue, a separate rumor claims an iPhone Fold prototype may include an in-screen front-facing camera, which could indicate Apple has been developing under-display camera and sensor technology for a while and may be preparing to showcase it across multiple product categories.
Still, as with any pre-launch iPhone leak, there’s a chance plans shift. Apple is known for delaying or dropping features that don’t meet its standards, especially when it comes to core functions like Face ID reliability. For now, consider the smaller Dynamic Island and under-display Face ID as plausible—but not guaranteed—until more consistent reports back it up.
