Apple’s next Pro iPhone is set to bring a significant change to the display design, according to recent reports. While previous updates mainly focused on size or refresh rates, the Dynamic Island — the pill-shaped cutout at the top of the display — will see its first major redesign this fall on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Dynamic Island Gets Smaller
The Dynamic Island first debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, replacing the larger notch found on all Face ID iPhones since the iPhone X. It remains a hallmark feature of Apple’s Pro lineup.
Leaker Ice Universe revealed on X that the width of the Dynamic Island will shrink from 20.76 mm to 13.49 mm — a reduction of roughly 35%. While not a single circular lens, the smaller cutout will be visually noticeable and may prompt the familiar “Oooh, you’ve got the new Pro iPhone” reaction.
The change may be possible because the flood illuminator, a component that powers Face ID, could be hidden under the display rather than visible through it.
Which iPhones Will Miss Out?
The redesign appears exclusive to the Pro models. Regular iPhone 18 and the upcoming iPhone Air 2 are expected to retain the current cutout design. Historically, the standard iPhone only received the Dynamic Island a year after the Pro’s launch, so it seems unlikely that Apple will update the Air 2’s display at launch.
Brighter Displays on the Horizon
Leaks also hint that Apple is targeting a significant brightness boost for the iPhone 18 series. According to Weibo leaker Instant Digital, the Chinese display supplier BOE may struggle to meet Apple’s unusually high brightness requirements for the new devices.
The current iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro both offer a Super Retina XDR display with 1,000 nits typical brightness, 1,600 nits peak HDR, and up to 3,000 nits outdoor peak. Early reports suggest the iPhone 18 series will exceed these numbers, making screens brighter than ever. It’s likely the Pro models will maintain the edge in brightness, similar to previous generations.
What This Means for Users
Users can expect a sleeker, more refined design in the Pro lineup, paired with enhanced visibility outdoors and improved HDR performance. The redesigned Dynamic Island and upgraded display will likely distinguish the Pro models from the standard iPhone 18 and Air 2, continuing Apple’s trend of reserving premium features for its top-tier devices.
Apple has not yet confirmed any of these changes, but leaks continue to provide a glimpse at what to expect. As more details emerge, we’ll update this story with the latest information on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
