SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 20, 2026, 04:10 PST
- Leaker Instant Digital challenges claims that the iPhone 18 Pro will relocate its selfie camera to the top-left corner
- A Korean industry report reveals Apple is pushing for LTPO+ OLED panels and under-display infrared technology in its 2026 Pro models
- Previous leaks hinted at a smaller or shifted Dynamic Island, as Apple works to conceal more Face ID components
A leaker on Weibo dismissed rumors that Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro will shift its selfie camera to the top-left corner with an under-screen Face ID upgrade. “The front camera on the left side of the iPhone 18 Pro is a complete misinformation,” Instant Digital said, blaming the reports on a translation error. 1
This debate is crucial since Apple’s upcoming Pro iPhones are rumored to aim for a sleeker front display, with the Dynamic Island standing out as the main giveaway — that pill-shaped cutout combined with a software overlay that expands for notifications and live info. If Apple rolls out under-screen Face ID, their face-unlock system relying on infrared light and cameras, it could drastically reduce visible sensors and shrink the cutout needed to conceal the remaining components.
South Korea’s ETNews reports Apple is pushing panel makers to deliver “LTPO+” OLED screens—these can adjust their refresh rate to conserve power—and wants “under-display IR” tech that hides an infrared sensor beneath the panel for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup. Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to supply the screens, but China’s BOE is hitting snags trying to meet the tougher quality standards demanded by the Pro models. 2
The buzz around the top-left front camera surged after YouTuber Jon Prosser suggested the iPhone 18 Pro might relocate the front-facing camera from its usual center spot to the upper-left corner, dragging the Dynamic Island along. AppleInsider noted that in Prosser’s renders, the Dynamic Island shrinks considerably but still covers the remaining display hole and expands for notifications. 3
Prosser is named as a defendant in an Apple lawsuit alleging that he and Michael Ramacciotti acquired and leaked trade-secret details related to an unreleased iOS version, Reuters reported last year. According to the report, Prosser denies any involvement in stealing the information and claims he doesn’t know where it came from. 4
On Monday, a separate MacRumors report noted that the X account “ShrimpApplePro” said the Dynamic Island on iPhone 18 Pro models will be “shorter” because some Face ID components are moving under the display, leaving just the front camera and Face ID’s infrared camera visible. The report also referenced ETNews, which claimed Apple plans to use under-screen infrared tech from Samsung alongside LTPO+ displays. 5
MacRumors later shared what it called an image of a Face ID sensor assembly featuring three modules on a single flex cable, positioning the infrared flood illuminator to the left of both the dot projector and infrared camera. This setup would let Apple hide the flood illuminator beneath the display on the left side, while fitting the other components into a smaller, centered pill-shaped cutout, the site said—challenging the idea of a visible corner selfie camera. 6
Apple Gadget Hacks, echoing previous reports, suggested that moving Face ID under the screen might allow Apple to ditch the pill-shaped notch on Pro models entirely. Instead, the iPhone could feature just a tiny punch-hole camera in the top-left corner. The site noted this would mark a notable change to the iPhone’s front design. 7
Apple is trailing behind a design trend that Android brands like Samsung and Google have embraced for a while: punch-hole selfie cameras. Some Android phones even try hiding cameras beneath the screen. What complicates things for Apple is Face ID’s infrared setup, which needs to function flawlessly in the dark, from different angles, with masks and glasses, all without messing up the display’s look.
The rumor mill is tangled, and slipping the entire Face ID system beneath the OLED screen has been tricky for everyone, with concerns about performance and manufacturing yields. Ross Young, VP at Counterpoint Research, noted in June that 2026 iPhones featuring under-screen Face ID would still have a visible “notch”—the Dynamic Island—though he predicted it would be “smaller.” 8
Apple stays silent on products it hasn’t announced yet. The next iPhone lineup, usually revealed in September, remains a moving target—shaped by leaked components and misread posts along the way.
