Apple is considering releasing a new compact iPhone with a wider, shorter screen. According to preliminary information from leaker Instant Digital, the smartphone will retain the width of the iPhone 18 Pro but feature a display with a 2:1 aspect ratio instead of the familiar elongated format. This design should make the device easier to use with one hand.

After discontinuing the iPhone 13 mini, the company largely abandoned truly compact smartphones. Now Apple appears to be exploring an alternative approach: rather than shrinking the entire body, it would change the display's proportions to reduce its height and make interface elements easier to reach.

A wider screen instead of an elongated body

According to the leak, the upcoming model will be roughly as wide as the iPhone 18 Pro but noticeably shorter. Instead of the usual 19.5:9 aspect ratio, engineers are considering an 18:9, or 2:1, format.

The main advantage of this approach is easier one-handed use. Users will find it easier to reach interface elements at the top and bottom of the screen with their thumb.

Apple may also rethink the interface layout: the status bar is expected to be merged with apps' top navigation bar. This would make more efficient use of the display area and leave more room for the main content.

What will happen to Dynamic Island?

The changes could also affect the front of the smartphone. Apple is reportedly considering several options for positioning the front-facing camera and the Dynamic Island system.

One possible scenario is to replace the current cutout with a small circular hole. A more radical option involves placing the camera directly beneath the AMOLED display to hide it completely from the user's view.

The final decision will depend on advances in under-display camera technology. It remains unclear how well Apple could implement this option without a noticeable decline in image quality.

Compact smartphones are attracting manufacturers' interest again

Apple is not the only company exploring unusual screen proportions. Devices with wider displays are already appearing on the market: the HUAWEI Pura X View, for example, features a 15:9 screen.

According to the original report, HONOR, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi are also preparing their own “passport-style” models. This could signal a new direction in smartphone design: rather than increasing screen sizes yet again, manufacturers are experimenting with body shapes and ease of use.

However, Apple's plans are still at an early stage and may change. The information about the compact iPhone is based on a leak from Instant Digital, not an official company announcement. Neither the release date nor the device's final specifications are known yet.

If Apple does choose this format, the company will offer an alternative to conventional elongated smartphones: one that is not necessarily narrow, but is more convenient for everyday one-handed use.