Apple is still working on a major display redesign for the iPhone 18 Pro. This redesign is expected to feature a smaller Dynamic Island, centered on the display, which would look cleaner than the rumored left-aligned hole-punch design. It will also reportedly come with a major Face ID 2.0 upgrade.
Before explaining the three main reasons why Apple is shrinking the Dynamic Island, let’s go over five key pieces of evidence that suggest the left-side hole-punch camera renders are likely inaccurate.
Why the Left Hole-Punch Camera Is Unlikely
1. Misinterpreted Leak (Instant Digital)
According to leaker Instant Digital, the viral renders stem from a misinterpretation of an earlier report from a publication. That report did not say the selfie camera was moving to the left. Instead, it referred to the infrared (IR) camera shifting under the display and slightly to the left.
The IR camera is part of Face ID, but the dot projector will remain next to the selfie camera. Because of this, the Dynamic Island only needs to house the dot projector and selfie camera, allowing it to become smaller, not disappear or shift to the side.
2. Internal Hardware Conflicts
The selfie camera already occupies the full internal thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro. If Apple moved it to the left side, it would conflict with the rear flash module. Apple would then have to relocate the flash—something that makes little sense, especially given the current 17 Pro hardware layout.
If Apple planned such a move, the flash placement on the iPhone 17 Pro would likely already reflect that change. It doesn’t.
3. Display Analyst Confirmation (Ross Young)
Display analyst Ross Young has stated that not all Face ID components are ready to go under the display yet. Only the IR camera is expected to move under the panel at this stage, which aligns with reports from Chinese sources.
For the left-side hole-punch design to work, Apple would need every Face ID component under the display—something Apple is reportedly not ready to do.
4. Apple Avoids Android-Like Design
A side-mounted hole-punch camera—even with a pill shape—would look too similar to older Android designs. Apple created the Dynamic Island specifically to stand out, and it has succeeded.
Keeping it centered preserves Apple’s visual identity while shrinking it makes it less intrusive without copying competitors.
5. MacBook Pro Dynamic Island Rumors
Leaks about future M6 Pro and M6 Max MacBook Pros suggest Apple may replace the notch with a centered Dynamic Island. A centered design makes far more sense for displaying system information evenly on both sides.
This further supports the idea that Apple wants the Dynamic Island to remain centered across products.
Why Apple Is Shrinking the Dynamic Island
Now let’s answer the main question: Why is Apple making the Dynamic Island smaller?
Reason 1: Major Face ID Accuracy Upgrade
By moving the IR camera farther away from the dot projector, Apple creates a larger physical gap between the sensors. Compared to the tightly packed layout in the iPhone 17 Pro, this wider spacing could significantly improve 3D depth mapping accuracy.
That improvement benefits:
- Face ID security and reliability
- Portrait mode depth accuracy
- Memoji and facial tracking
- Potential new features Apple hasn’t revealed yet
Reason 2: A Step Toward Fully Under-Display Face ID
Apple’s long-term goal is to place all Face ID components—and eventually the camera—under the display.
Starting with just the IR camera allows Apple to:
- Test under-display performance in real-world use
- Collect data to refine software and algorithms
- Reduce risk before committing fully
This mirrors Apple’s strategy with the LiDAR scanner, which first appeared on iPad Pro before moving to the iPhone and later contributing to Vision Pro development.
Reason 3: Visual Differentiation for an “S-Year” Upgrade
The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be an S-style upgrade, following the major redesign of the iPhone 17 Pro. That means:
- Same camera layout
- Same display size
- Same bezels
Apple still needs something visually new to encourage upgrades. A smaller Dynamic Island with upgraded Face ID is the most obvious way to do that.
Other Major iPhone 18 Pro Highlights
Apple is expected to focus marketing on three major points:
- Smaller Dynamic Island + Face ID 2.0
The easiest way to visually identify the iPhone 18 Pro. - True Satellite 5G Connectivity
Not just emergency texting—actual satellite-based 5G coverage that eliminates dead zones. - A20 Pro Chip (2nm)
Built on TSMC’s first 2nm process, offering major gains in performance and efficiency. This could allow Apple to increase CPU or GPU core counts for the first time in years.
Conclusion:
The iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to be one of Apple’s strongest S-year upgrades ever. At the same time, Apple is also expected to launch the iPhone 18 Ultra Foldable, which may explain why the Pro upgrades remain relatively restrained—to push premium users toward the foldable.
