Apple doesn’t always make major changes to the front of iPhones. The iPhone 13 models had a smaller notch than the previous 12 series. The 14 Pro models got the new Dynamic Island, and we still have it with the iPhone 16 series. The iPhone 18 Pro, two generations later, might get the next major change in terms of front screen design. This will also bring under-screen Face ID to the iPhone.
As per a new leak from The Information, the iPhone 18 Pro models will get a new front design. However, the iPhone 17 lineup will stick with the current design. Note: The article is under a paywall, and you cannot directly access it.
The leaks are not different from older claims. An expert display leaker with over 30 years of experience, Ross Young, previously leaked a roadmap for iPhone display upgrades. While the roadmap earlier mentioned that the iPhone 17 Pro models would get it in 2026, the leaker later claimed there’s a delay, and it’ll happen in 2027 instead, with the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Mark Gurman from Bloomberg also reports a similar timeline for Apple’s displays, citing 2027. As per the recent leak, the standard iPhone 18 models will still stick with the current Dynamic Island pill. The iPhone 18 Pro will achieve Face ID by putting the components under the display, but the front camera will remain visible. We’ll get a punch-hole style cutout. However, the leak claims that the front camera is at the top left, and not the center.
If the front camera moves to the top-left, and all Face ID components move underneath, what happens to the Dynamic Island? We presume it’ll continue as a software feature, in case this leak actually comes true. It doesn’t make much sense for Apple to discontinue the Dynamic Island, especially after advertising a lot of features with it.
It makes more sense for the company to put the front camera in the middle instead of the top-left, since it ruins the symmetry. Apple generally favours symmetry when designing products, and this would be an odd departure.
In other news, the base iPhone models might finally get LTPO 120Hz displays this year.
