iPhone 18 Pro series’ leak reveals smaller Dynamic Island, debunks top-left selfie camera

There has been some confusion surrounding the front design of Apple’s next Pro iPhones, with leaks over the past few months pointing in different directions.

Reports have variously suggested under-display Face ID, a top-left hole-punch camera, or even the removal of the Dynamic Island. A fresh leak now attempts to bring clarity to what Apple may actually be planning for the iPhone 18 Pro lineup.

Smaller Dynamic Island likely, not a hole-punch camera

According to Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital, earlier reports claiming a top-left hole-punch camera were the result of mistranslations and misinterpretations.

The confusion appears to have stemmed from supply-chain discussions around internal Face ID components, which were incorrectly assumed to signal a visible change to the front camera’s position. In reality, the selfie camera is expected to remain centred, much like current Pro models.

The leaker shared details of the Face ID module layout, explaining that it consists of three main elements: an infrared flood illuminator, a dot projector, and an infrared camera. Of these, only the flood illuminator is said to be compact enough to sit beneath the display.

This component may move to the top-left area under the screen, while the remaining Face ID hardware and the front camera stay grouped together.

Face ID changes enable a reduced cutout

With the infrared flood illuminator shifting under the display, Apple could reduce the size of the Dynamic Island rather than removing it altogether. The dot projector, infrared camera, and selfie camera would continue to sit within a smaller, centrally aligned pill-shaped cutout.

This aligns with earlier hints that Apple intends to refine the Dynamic Island gradually instead of abandoning it abruptly.

Notably, this interpretation contradicts a previous report that suggested the Dynamic Island would disappear entirely on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Instant Digital’s claims have since been supported by known industry watchers, including ShrimpApplePro and display analyst Ross Young, both of whom suggest that only partial under-display Face ID is coming in the near term.

Apple is widely expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro series in September. If these leaks are accurate, users can expect a familiar front design with a subtler visual footprint, rather than a dramatic shift to a hole-punch display. The brand is also expected to unveil its first foldable phone alongside the 18 Pro series.

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Keep following Unboxed by Croma for all the updates about the Apple iPhone 18 Pro series.