Reports suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, along with the standard iPhone 18 expected to arrive later in spring 2027, will retain a similar screen bezel design to current models. However, a significant change is said to lie in the Dynamic Island, which could be noticeably smaller than before.

The information comes from leaker Ice Universe, known for a relatively reliable track record. In a post on Weibo, the source claimed that while overall bezel dimensions will remain comparable to the iPhone 17 lineup, the central cut-out area will be reduced. This indicates that Apple is not altering the display frame itself but is instead refining the notch area to optimize user experience.

Dynamic Island is essentially Apple’s software-driven solution to manage the display cut-out that houses the front camera and Face ID sensors. Since its introduction, it has transformed a design limitation into a functional feature, dynamically presenting contextual information such as calls, music playback, navigation and background activities.

Designed to expand and adapt when needed, Dynamic Island both delivers additional information and visually disguises the cut-out. For example, it can display album art while music is playing or provide quick updates from running apps.

If Apple indeed reduces the size of Dynamic Island, it would likely mean that the physical cut-out beneath - where the camera and Face ID sensors are located - is also being minimized. This is the most critical aspect, as software elements can scale flexibly, but the physical cut-out determines how much screen space is actually occupied.

A smaller Dynamic Island would bring several benefits, including more usable display area and a more seamless viewing experience when watching videos, gaming or reading. It could also represent an intermediate step toward a true full-screen design, where cameras and sensors are fully embedded beneath the display.

Implications for other models and future devices

The leak also raises questions about how this change might extend across Apple’s product lineup.

Even if the smaller Dynamic Island appears on the iPhone 18 series in spring 2027, a more affordable variant - often referred to as the iPhone 18e - may not receive the same upgrade. Instead, it could move from the larger, traditional notch of the iPhone 17e to the current-generation Dynamic Island, rather than the newly reduced version.

This would align with Apple’s familiar strategy, where major design innovations debut on Pro models before gradually reaching more mainstream devices over time.

Another question is whether the smaller Dynamic Island will be adopted in Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone. If such a device materializes, optimizing screen space will be even more critical, as larger displays demand cleaner, less intrusive design elements to maintain immersion. For now, however, there is no confirmed information, and further details will likely emerge over time.

While the change may not appear as dramatic as a complete redesign, shrinking the Dynamic Island could still represent a meaningful upgrade in user experience. Apple has long favored incremental refinement over abrupt shifts, and this move may be part of a broader roadmap toward eliminating display cut-outs altogether.

If the leaks prove accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will retain their familiar appearance while offering a more polished and modern display - a subtle evolution that could significantly enhance everyday usability.

Hai Phong