• Source:JND
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The iPhone 17 lineup — comprising the standard iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and Pro Max — was only just unveiled at Apple’s “Awe Dropping” launch event last week. While the new models are currently on pre-order and set to hit shelves later this week, speculation has already shifted to next year’s iPhone 18 series.

Dynamic Island to Get Smaller on iPhone 18

According to a new leak from tipster Instant Digital on Weibo, Apple is preparing to shrink the Dynamic Island with the iPhone 18 lineup.

- The cutout is expected to become narrower, thanks to more compact front-facing camera and sensor components.

- However, Apple will not move to under-display Face ID or camera technology just yet.

- This means the pill-shaped cutout will remain, though in a more discreet form compared to the current design.

A Design Evolution, Not a Revolution

Apple first unveiled Dynamic Island with the iPhone 14 Pro series in 2022 as an alternative to the notch, and later expanded it across iPhone 15, 16, and now 17 series devices - becoming an integral element of their user interface.

Despite earlier rumours, Apple chose not to reduce the size of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 17 lineup. Instead, all four models retained the same design language. The iPhone 18 could finally bring that long-anticipated refinement.

Looking further ahead, leaks suggest a more radical change with the iPhone 19 series in 2027, which may coincide with the iPhone’s 20th anniversary. Apple is expected to introduce under-display Face ID, leaving only a small punch-hole camera visible — a potential stepping stone toward a truly seamless display.

Current Lineup: iPhone 17 Features Recap

While attention shifts to the iPhone 18, Apple’s latest iPhone 17 series has just entered the market, bringing:

- iOS 26 out of the box

- ProMotion displays with adaptive refresh rates

- 48MP rear cameras and 18MP selfie shooter

- USB-C charging port

- Apple Intelligence-powered AI tools integrated across the ecosystem

Notably, the iPhone 16e remains the only modern iPhone without Dynamic Island.

Bottom Line

The iPhone 18 series is shaping up to deliver a more compact and refined Dynamic Island, though the wait for under-display Face ID will likely stretch until 2027. With the iPhone 17 lineup just beginning its retail journey, Apple’s iterative design strategy highlights how it prefers gradual evolution before making milestone design overhauls.