What is already known about the iPhone 18 Pro: Goodbye Dynamic Island, Hello mini cutout and under-display Face ID

Apple is preparing noticeable design changes for the flagship iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Dynamic Island will disappear, Face ID will move under the display, and the front camera will be placed in a small cutout in the upper left corner. This is reported by The Information, citing sources in the supply chain.

Design: Minimalism Without the “Island”

Externally, the iPhone 18 Pro will be an evolution of the iPhone 17 Pro, with similar lines, materials, and dimensions. However, the front panel will change significantly. Instead of the black “island” housing the Face ID sensors and camera, there will be a tiny cutout only for the front-facing camera. The rest of the TrueDepth module will be hidden under the display. This is Apple’s first step toward a completely cutout-free screen, which, according to rumors, is expected in 2027 or 2028.

Cameras: Variable Aperture and New Capabilities

The rear cameras will also receive upgrades. At least one module, most likely the main 48 MP camera, will get a variable aperture, starting from f/1.78 and wider. This will allow manual control over depth of field and light intake, something iPhones have never offered before. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo confirms that this feature is planned specifically for the 18 Pro.

Experts remain cautious, noting that due to the relatively small sensor size, the effect may not be as dramatic as on larger dedicated cameras. Still, for portraits and video, this is a meaningful step forward.

A20 Pro: 2 nm and New Chip Packaging

The heart of the device will be the A20 Pro chip built on TSMC’s 2 nm process, delivering record levels of energy efficiency and performance. Apple will also introduce WMCM, or Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module packaging, where RAM is placed on the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and NPU. The results include faster Apple Intelligence features, improved thermal performance, and more internal space, potentially allowing for a larger battery.

When to Expect It

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to be unveiled in fall 2026. Pricing is traditionally expected to start around 999 to 1099 US dollars for the base version.

In Brief

The iPhone 18 Pro will say goodbye to Dynamic Island, with Face ID moving under the display and the front camera shifting to a small cutout on the left. It will also introduce a variable aperture camera and an ultra-efficient 2 nm A20 Pro chip with new packaging technology. The overall design will be evolutionary, but the front panel will look significantly cleaner. The year 2026 marks a step toward a fully bezel-free iPhone.