SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 22, 2026, 02:39 PST
- Display analyst Ross Young has leaked new info suggesting the iPhone 18 Pro will feature a smaller, centered Dynamic Island.
- A Weibo tipster claimed that rumors of a punch-hole selfie camera on the left side actually came from mistranslations related to Face ID components.
- According to multiple reports, Apple is set to reveal the iPhone 18 Pro models in September.
Speculation that Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro might drop the Dynamic Island eased this week when a seasoned display analyst confirmed a leak suggesting a smaller, centered cutout replacing the usual top-left selfie camera. (MacRumors)
The Dynamic Island isn’t simply a black area at the screen’s top. It’s Apple’s software layer that surrounds the front cutout and houses Face ID — the company’s infrared facial recognition tech for unlocking iPhones and authorizing payments.
Confusion grew after several reports and renders hinted Apple might shift the front camera to the left and use under-display Face ID sensors hidden under the screen. Instant Digital, a leaker on Weibo, dismissed this as “a complete misinformation,” blaming a mistranslation involving an infrared sensor. (Tom’s Guide)
MacRumors reported that Instant Digital released an image of a Face ID assembly featuring three modules on a single cable: an infrared flood illuminator, a dot projector, and an infrared camera. The leaker suggests that only the flood illuminator will move beneath the display near the top-left, while the dot projector, infrared camera, and selfie camera remain centered within a narrower Dynamic Island. (MacRumors)
Ross Young, a retired display analyst and ex-Counterpoint Research exec, confirmed that take. “Yes this is what I alluded to months ago,” Young said, as reported by 9to5Mac. (9to5Mac)
Macworld reports that the front cutout might actually resemble current iPhones more than earlier rumors suggested. Only the flood illuminator is expected to shift under the screen, while the rest of the sensor array stays grouped in a compact central module. This means the opening would be a smaller pill shape—not a seamless glass front. (Macworld)
Some reports have highlighted the selfie camera as the main upgrade, hinting at a top-left punch-hole combined with under-display Face ID. The Economic Times, referencing earlier leaks, even suggested the Dynamic Island might move to that corner. (The Economic Times)
Android Authority noted that Apple’s rumored display tweaks, including thinner bezels and other enhancements, might set a new standard for 2026 flagships from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus. The site emphasized that many of these details remain speculative. (Android Authority)
MacRumors also published a concept image inspired by the latest leak, depicting the Dynamic Island smaller yet still centered, while the infrared flood illuminator shifts beneath the display, tucked to one side. The report notes that Apple will likely unveil the iPhone 18 Pro models this September. (MacRumors)
One major caveat: Apple hasn’t confirmed any plans for the iPhone 18, and hardware designs often shift late in development. Under-display sensors remain a tough challenge industry-wide, and if Face ID or selfie quality takes a hit, it could delay the rollout.
The current debate centers on how much of the Face ID system Apple can conceal without disrupting daily use. Shrinking the Dynamic Island would move the iPhone closer to an all-screen design, but it won’t be the sharp departure some early leaks hinted at.
