Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models will reportedly eliminate the Dynamic Island in favor of under-display Face ID technology, according to leaks from Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station. The Pro variants could adopt a punch-hole front camera design that moves Apple closer to Android competitors.
The leaker's Weibo post this week claims iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will feature 6.27-inch and 6.86-inch displays with under-display Face ID sensors. Standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 models will retain the current Dynamic Island design with 6.27-inch and 6.55-inch screens respectively.
All four models use 120Hz LTPO OLED panels matching iPhone 17 specifications. Display sizes remain unchanged from current generation devices, suggesting Apple prioritizes internal upgrades over external redesigns for the 2026 lineup.
Under-display Face ID represents Apple's most significant front-facing hardware change since the iPhone X introduced Face ID in 2017. The technology hides TrueDepth sensors beneath a transparent screen patch while relocating the front camera to the top-left corner.
This configuration would reduce the Dynamic Island to a single punch-hole cutout, a design Android manufacturers have used for years. Apple could maintain Dynamic Island functionality through software overlays that activate for notifications and system alerts.
Digital Chat Station's leak aligns with December reports from The Information about under-display Face ID testing. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also repeatedly predicted Apple's transition to under-screen authentication systems.
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to launch in September 2026 following Apple's traditional fall schedule. However, rumors suggest the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 may not arrive until Spring 2027 as Apple tests a split release strategy.
Apple reportedly moved iPhone 18 models into prototype production phase this month. The company often tests multiple hardware configurations before finalizing designs, though under-display technology appears locked for Pro variants.
iPhone Air 2's inclusion in the leak contradicts earlier cancellation rumors following weak initial sales. Supply chain sources now indicate the ultra-thin model remains scheduled for a fall launch alongside premium devices.
Digital Chat Station has over three million Weibo followers and previously leaked accurate Apple information. The account's track record lends credibility to these specifications, though Apple typically confirms designs closer to launch events.
The under-display Face ID implementation marks a transitional step toward Apple's rumored bezel-less iPhone 20 for 2027. That anniversary model could feature completely hidden front-facing components for a true all-screen design.
Apple's potential shift to punch-hole displays follows years of Android dominance in front camera integration. Samsung, Google, and other manufacturers have used various cutout designs since 2018 while Apple maintained notches and pill-shaped islands.
The company's staggered launch strategy would separate Pro and standard model releases for the first time. This approach could reduce product cannibalization and extend iPhone sales momentum throughout the fiscal year.
Color options for iPhone 18 Pro models may include burgundy, purple, and coffee shades according to separate leaks. Apple could also eliminate the current two-tone back design that debuted with iPhone 14 Pro models.
Industry analysts note that under-display Face ID requires significant engineering advances to maintain security standards. Apple's TrueDepth system currently uses infrared dot projectors that must function accurately through display layers.
The technology's development timeline suggests Apple began under-screen Face ID research shortly after introducing Dynamic Island in 2022. The company typically works on multiple hardware generations simultaneously.
Market response to Dynamic Island has been mixed since its iPhone 14 Pro debut. While praised for interactive notifications, the pill-shaped cutout occupies more screen space than traditional notches or punch-holes.
Apple's potential adoption of Android-style front designs reflects increasing competitive pressure in premium smartphone markets. Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi and Oppo have already implemented under-display cameras in flagship devices.
The iPhone 18 lineup's display specifications indicate Apple maintains conservative upgrade cycles for non-Pro models. This tiered approach encourages users toward higher-margin Pro devices for cutting-edge features.
Digital Chat Station's leak contains no mention of Apple's rumored foldable iPhone, expected to launch in 2026. The absence suggests display specifications for the new form factor remain under tighter security controls.
Apple will likely confirm iPhone 18 Pro designs during its September 2026 keynote event. The company typically announces new iPhones eight to nine months after initial supply chain leaks begin circulating.
