iPhone 18 Pro Series May Eliminate Dynamic Island with Under-Display Face ID in 2026
Apple Testing Hidden Camera and Infrared Components for Sleeker Display Design
Dynamic Island May Disappear in iPhone 18 Pro Series
Apple is reportedly planning to ditch the Dynamic Island in the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, introducing a major display redesign with under-display Face ID and camera technology.
- This would be Apple’s most significant external change since the iPhone 14 Pro, when the Dynamic Island was first introduced.
- The leak comes from Digital Chat Station on Weibo, a source with a solid track record on pre-release hardware.
Display Details and New Tech
The iPhone 18 Pro series will likely feature:
- 6.27-inch (Pro) and 6.86-inch (Pro Max) LTPO OLED panels
- 1.5K resolution, ensuring sharp visuals
- HIAA (Hole-in-Active-Area) technology, enabling sensors to function under the display by removing a section of the pixel layer
The Challenge of Infrared
Unlike Android brands that have used under-display selfie cameras, Apple’s Face ID is more complex:
- It uses infrared tech—a dot projector, IR camera, and flood illuminator—which is much harder to implement beneath a display.
- Apple is reportedly testing working prototypes, suggesting it has made progress in overcoming the technical hurdles.
Timeline and Expectations
While iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to retain a smaller Dynamic Island, the iPhone 18 series may debut the first truly uninterrupted screen—provided development stays on track.
- This shift has been rumored since the iPhone 15, but hardware readiness and production viability have delayed implementation.
