Lead
On January 22, 2026, leaker Ice Universe posted measurements claiming the iPhone 18 Pro’s Dynamic Island will be roughly 13.5mm wide—about 35% narrower than the iPhone 17 Pro’s ~20.7mm cutout. The report aligns with recent leaks that suggested Apple is moving some Face ID components beneath the display, but not performing a full under‑display Face ID rollout this year. Industry analyst Ross Young says the smaller island is likely to remain in place through at least 2027. Apple is still expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models in September 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Ice Universe claims the Dynamic Island width will be approximately 13.5mm, down from about 20.7mm on iPhone 17 Pro—a reduction of roughly 35%.
- The Information previously reported plans for under‑screen Face ID, but current signals indicate only the flood illuminator will move under the display this cycle.
- With only the flood illuminator moved, Apple can shrink the pill‑shaped cutout but not remove it entirely this year.
- Display analyst Ross Young estimates the reduced Dynamic Island design will persist through at least 2027, delaying a completely seamless display.
- Apple is expected to reveal the iPhone 18 Pro lineup at its usual September 2026 event, assuming the current supply‑chain timetable holds.
- Ice Universe has posted accurate hardware dimensions in the past but has mixed accuracy overall, so the claim carries some credibility but is not definitive.
Background
Since the introduction of the Dynamic Island in 2022, Apple has iteratively refined the front‑facing sensor array and the software that leverages it. The Dynamic Island replaced larger notch designs with a pill‑shaped cutout that combines camera and Face ID sensors while also acting as an interactive UI element. Hardware and display makers have been working on under‑panel sensor technologies—especially for Face ID components—to enable cleaner, less interrupted screens.
Reports about Apple moving Face ID components under the display surfaced in 2025 and continued into early 2026, creating mixed signals about whether the pill would disappear entirely or simply shrink. The flood illuminator, a part of the TrueDepth system that helps depth sensing in low light, has been repeatedly singled out as a candidate for under‑display integration because it is a comparatively large, fixed light source. Suppliers, display fabs and Apple’s own engineering decisions all influence whether a full under‑display Face ID rollout is feasible without degrading reliability.
Main Event
On January 22, 2026, the Weibo/X account Ice Universe published a mockup and a measurement claim that the Dynamic Island on iPhone 18 Pro models will measure about 13.5mm in width. The post compared that figure to the iPhone 17 Pro’s approximately 20.7mm cutout to quantify the change. The mockup circulated widely on social platforms and was picked up by tech outlets covering Apple’s front‑panel design evolution.
Earlier reporting from The Information suggested Apple had been working toward under‑screen Face ID and that a hole‑punch camera in the top‑left was a possible outcome. However, the newest aggregation of leaks and analyst commentary indicates a less dramatic change this year: relocating the flood illuminator beneath the panel, which permits a narrower pill but not a complete hole‑only solution.
Ross Young, a display industry analyst with a strong track record, told outlets that a reduced Dynamic Island is plausible and that the design change will likely persist at least until 2027. Supply‑chain sources and display manufacturers have signaled to analysts that incremental changes—rather than a wholesale redesign to a seamless display—are the likeliest near‑term path due to yield, reliability and cost considerations.
Analysis & Implications
Design: A 35% narrower Dynamic Island would meaningfully alter the visual balance of the iPhone 18 Pro’s top bezel area. For users, the interface surface of the Dynamic Island would be reduced, which could change how notifications and live activities are presented or require software tweaks to fit the smaller shape.
Face ID performance: Moving only the flood illuminator under the display avoids some of the optical and signal‑processing challenges of fully hidden Face ID modules, but it does not eliminate the need for TrueDepth sensors to remain visible. That tradeoff suggests Apple is pursuing incremental gains in screen uninterruptedness while preserving authentication reliability.
Manufacturing and supply chain: Under‑panel sensor integration remains sensitive to yields and calibration. Shifting a single component like the flood illuminator is technically simpler and less disruptive to suppliers than a full under‑panel TrueDepth system, which may explain the conservative step this cycle. Cost control and production ramp timelines would favor a partial migration to under‑display parts in 2026.
Market and product timing: If the smaller Dynamic Island is confirmed, Apple can advertise a cleaner front panel without risking Face ID regressions. Ross Young’s projection that the smaller island will remain through 2027 implies consumers should not expect a truly seamless display until later model years, potentially 2028 or beyond, depending on engineering progress and supply constraints.
Comparison & Data
| Model | Reported Dynamic Island Width | Change |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro | ~20.7 mm | — |
| iPhone 18 Pro (alleged) | ~13.5 mm | ~7.2 mm (≈35%) narrower |
The table above summarizes the numerical claim circulating in early 2026. A 7.2mm reduction represents a visually noticeable decrease in the cutout’s horizontal span. Even with the smaller island, some TrueDepth elements would remain above the display plane if only the flood illuminator is relocated under the panel.
Reactions & Quotes
Media coverage and analyst commentary reflected cautious interest rather than definitive confirmation. Below are representative comments lifted from public posts and reporting, with context added.
“Dynamic Island will be about 13.5mm on iPhone 18 Pro,”
Ice Universe (leaker)
Ice Universe posted the measurement and a mockup that helped visualize the narrower cutout; the account has produced accurate dimension leaks before but is not infallible, so the claim should be treated as credible but provisional.
“The smaller Dynamic Island looks set to last through at least 2027,”
Ross Young (display industry analyst)
Ross Young’s forecast, reported in industry coverage, frames the change as an incremental step rather than a one‑off experiment, suggesting Apple will continue to refine display‑sensor integration over multiple product cycles.
“Only the flood illuminator may be moved under the display this year,”
The Information (reporting)
The Information’s earlier reporting about possible under‑screen Face ID added context: if only the flood illuminator moves, Apple can shrink the pill but cannot yet eliminate the Dynamic Island without sacrificing true depth sensing performance.
Unconfirmed
- That the iPhone 18 Pro will ship with a completely seamless, hole‑only front panel—current signals point to a shrink, not removal, of the pill cutout.
- Exact final Dynamic Island dimensions remain unverified until Apple’s official reveal or production unit teardowns confirm measurements.
- Whether Apple will adopt a top‑left hole‑punch camera design in any iPhone 18 Pro variants; the latest aggregation of reports suggests this is unlikely for the main Pro models in 2026.
Bottom Line
The emerging picture for iPhone 18 Pro models is one of cautious, incremental change: a noticeably narrower Dynamic Island—if Ice Universe’s measurements are confirmed—paired with limited under‑panel integration that preserves key Face ID hardware. That approach balances cosmetic improvement with authentication reliability and supplier realities.
For consumers, a smaller island would make the display appear cleaner without removing the interactive Dynamic Island surface entirely. For Apple and its supply chain, the move allows a visible step forward while deferring the harder engineering hurdles required for a truly seamless display to later model years.
Sources
- MacRumors (technology news report)
- The Information (investigative technology reporting)