Apple changes its approach to the iPhone 18: New screen sizes and an almost bezel-less Pro

Apple is at an early stage of prototyping the iPhone 18 lineup. This is reported by GizmoChina citing insider Digital Chat Station. The company does not plan a radical redesign, but it intends to seriously revise display sizes and further differentiate the base and Pro versions in terms of features.

Base models: evolution without revolution

The standard iPhone 18 will receive a 6.27 inch LTPO OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The front camera and Face ID will remain in the familiar Dynamic Island, with no noticeable changes in layout. A similar approach will be kept for other base and budget models in the lineup.

The iPhone Air 2, if the name is confirmed, will be equipped with a slightly larger 6.55 inch LTPO display with the same 120 Hz refresh rate. No major changes in the appearance of the front panel are expected here either.

Pro versions: an almost bezel-less design

The most interesting changes are being prepared for the higher-end models. The iPhone 18 Pro is being tested with a 6.27 inch display, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max with a 6.86 inch display. In these devices, Apple may for the first time partially move the Face ID system under the display, leaving only a small hole for the front camera on the surface. This would significantly reduce the size of the Dynamic Island for the first time since its introduction with the iPhone 14 Pro.

This step would bring the Pro models closer to a truly bezel-less design while preserving all biometric authentication functions and the TrueDepth camera system.

Possible shift in the release schedule

Insiders are also discussing a revision of the traditional fall announcement cycle. According to one version, the Pro versions of the iPhone 18 could be released at the end of 2026, while the base models might be postponed until spring 2027. This would be the first major change in the release schedule in many years and could give Apple more time to refine new technologies.

In brief

Apple is testing the iPhone 18 with revised screen sizes: 6.27 inches for the base model, 6.55 inches for the Air 2, 6.27 inches for the Pro, and 6.86 inches for the Pro Max. The Dynamic Island will remain unchanged in the base versions, while in the Pro models it may shrink significantly thanks to Face ID being moved under the display. The Pro versions could be released at the end of 2026, with the base models following in spring 2027. These are still early prototypes, but the direction is clear: gradual design evolution with a focus on an almost bezel-less Pro.