A rumor about a smaller Dynamic Island cut-out for the iPhone 18 Pro isn't new, but one saying that it will get smaller and move is, though.
The iPhone 17 Pro underwent major changes in Apple's big 2025 refresh. For 2026, Apple's improvements to the models could result in a change affecting the top of the display.
According to Jon Prosser, the iPhone 18 Pro could shift the position of the front-facing camera from the middle to the top-left corner. The change will help present a much cleaner appearance for users, with the camera element in a less obvious position than normal.
Likewise, the Dynamic Island is rumored to move to that corner as well. It will continue working as a software-based camouflage for the hole in the display panel where the camera is exposed, expanding to display notifications, but it will be repositioned when in its compact state.
Under-display Face ID
Not only will the camera hole and Dynamic Island be moved, but the UI element could also end up being smaller than it is presently.
Prosser's video leans on rumors that the iPhone 18 Pro will use an under-display Face ID system. The change would mean fewer visible apertures in the display, reducing the amount that the Dynamic Island needs to hide.
Under display Face ID could allow for a big change for Dynamic Island - Image Credit: Jon Prosser
The result, in Prosser's renders, could be a Dynamic Island that resembles a small black circle surrounding the remaining camera hole. Icons will appear as usual, but to the left-hand side.
When expanded, the content within Dynamic Island will be leaning more to the right-hand side of the screen, avoiding the top-left corner camera. By contrast, current Dynamic Island elements are slightly down the display to avoid the camera and Face ID.
A reasonable proposal
As usual for leaks, it is worth remembering that Prosser's render is not a confirmation that Apple will be going down this route with Dynamic Island. Indeed, no-one outside of Apple and its secretive supply chain knows what the final design will look like until the iPhone 18 Pro launch, or in credible leaks in the preceding weeks.
That said, Prosser's render has some merit, especially when it comes to refining the screen estate.
A smaller appearance for Dynamic Island - Image Credit: Jon Prosser
Rumors have previously declared that Apple will be shifting to a smaller display hole for its 2026 flagship models. There has also been talk about an under-display Face ID system, though it has also been speculated that the feature could be delayed into 2027.
There is also Prosser's history of leaks with Apple to consider.
That said, while Prosser has been fairly good with his claims, he has occasionally made some massive errors.
For example, before Apple's introduction of the current Mac mini, Prosser provided a different design for the refresh. One that had the same footprint as the previous version but considerably less tall, and with the iMac's magnetic power connector too.
It is unclear whether Prosser sourced the current camera rumor from elsewhere or if it's an educated guess.
In April 2025, Prosser claimed to show an artist's render of what was thought to be iOS 19, now iOS 26, complete with elements of what would be known as the Liquid Glass UI design. The leak turned out to be true, but then caused Prosser some legal headaches.
Apple sued Prosser and colleague Michael Ramacciotti for misappropriating trade secrets, accusing the pair of accessing information that had yet to be disclosed to the public at the time.
While there have been discussions between the parties, the lawsuit has continued and is expected to be put in front of a jury, if a settlement cannot be made.
However, the legal fight does mean that Prosser did, at some point, have legitimate sources within Apple. Whether those sources were tapped once again for this render remains to be seen.
