SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 20, 2026, 04:11 PST
- Recent reports suggest Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro models will feature under-screen Face ID, likely shrinking the screen cutout size.
- According to a South Korean industry report, Apple is advancing an upgraded “LTPO+” OLED display stack along with under-display infrared sensors.
- Leaks conflict on what remains visible at the top — whether it’s a smaller Dynamic Island, just a single camera hole, or a repositioned infrared sensor.
Apple’s upcoming high-end iPhones are reportedly set to feature under-screen Face ID and a narrower “Dynamic Island” cutout, according to new supply-chain leaks and posts from insiders on Monday. MacRumors highlighted a now-deleted tweet from the X account “ShrimpApplePro” that said the Dynamic Island would be “shorter” and some Face ID components would shift beneath the display. (MacRumors)
The timing is crucial since Apple’s Pro models usually pack the biggest upgrades and yield higher margins. Display components get finalized long before launch, so even minor tweaks—like a shift or shrink in the cutout—can cascade through panel design, sensor packaging, and supplier arrangements.
The Dynamic Island is Apple’s software feature that surrounds the black cutout at the screen’s top, handling alerts and live activities. Face ID, Apple’s facial recognition unlock, relies on infrared hardware—much bulkier and tougher to conceal than a simple selfie camera.
Ross Young, a display analyst and vice president at Counterpoint Research, noted that under-display Face ID might still produce a visible “notch,” though it would be “smaller.” (MacRumors)
South Korea’s ETNews revealed that Apple is requesting “LTPO+” OLED panels—an upgraded form of LTPO tech that helps adjust refresh rates and reduce power consumption—along with under-display infrared sensors (UDIR) for the iPhone 18 Pro models. According to ETNews, Samsung Display and LG Display are the only suppliers capable of delivering both LTPO+ and UDIR simultaneously. An industry insider confirmed that just these two Korean manufacturers can meet Apple’s specs. (미래를 보는 창 – 전자신문)
Not everyone is convinced by the top-left-hole theory. On Tuesday, AppleInsider cited Weibo leaker “Instant Digital,” who dismissed the idea of a left-side front camera as “complete misinformation.” The leaker pointed to a translation mix-up, suggesting it’s actually the infrared sensor that might move left, not the selfie camera. (AppleInsider)
AppleInsider previously highlighted a different batch of renders from Jon Prosser, which showed the selfie camera shifting from the center to the top-left corner, with the Dynamic Island shrinking into a tiny circle around it. The report also mentioned that Prosser is currently facing a lawsuit from Apple over another leak. (AppleInsider)
Other outlets have taken the notion further. Gadget Hacks suggested the iPhone 18 Pro could effectively “kill” the Dynamic Island if Apple introduces under-screen Face ID and opts for just a tiny punch-hole camera instead. (Gadget Hacks)
Most premium Android rivals from Samsung and Google have long opted for small camera holes instead of wide cutouts. Apple’s bigger opening is tied to its Face ID hardware, but hiding the infrared components beneath the OLED screen would help it catch up to the sleeker fronts competitors have been pushing for years.
However, a major question remains: making infrared sensors function reliably through a display stack isn’t the same as mass-producing it. The rumors clash over fundamentals — which parts shift, what remains visible, and if Apple will settle for a smaller Dynamic Island as a middle ground. Plus, one of the social posts fueling the buzz has already been taken down.
Apple hasn’t revealed any details about the iPhone 18 or hinted at a design shift. New iPhones usually debut in September.
