TL; DR
- Apple plans to hide Face ID sensors under the display on the 2026 iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, leaving only a small punch-hole for the front camera.
- The punch-hole will reportedly move to the top-left corner, ending the centered Dynamic Island.
- The change is part of broader 2026 launches including a foldable iPhone and possibly an updated iPhone Air; standard iPhone 18 models may arrive in 2027.
Apple is preparing a significant redesign for its high-end iPhones in 2026, according to a detailed report published this week. Sources familiar with Apple’s plans told The Information that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will move most Face ID components under the screen. This would eliminate the pill-shaped cutout used since the iPhone 14 Pro, replacing the Dynamic Island with a single small punch-hole for the selfie camera only.
The report specifies that the front camera cutout will shift to the top-left corner of the display, a first for iPhone, which has kept front-facing hardware centered since the original notch in 2017. The overall phone design will otherwise resemble the current iPhone 17 Pro models.
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This change raises questions about the future of Dynamic Island, Apple’s software feature that turns the cutout area into an interactive space for notifications, controls, and live activities. With no pill-shaped hardware to build around, Apple will likely need to adapt or replace those interactions, possibly reverting to traditional status bar indicators or creating new edge-based elements.
The report, written by Wayne Ma and Qianer Liu, aligns with earlier supply-chain leaks about under-display Face ID testing. It also mentions other upgrades, including a variable-aperture main rear camera for better control over light intake and depth of field.
On the launch side, Apple appears headed for a split release strategy starting in 2026. The iPhone 18 Pro models are expected in September alongside the company’s first foldable iPhone and potentially a refreshed ultra-thin iPhone Air. The standard iPhone 18 and a budget-oriented iPhone 18e could follow in spring 2027.
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These details remain unconfirmed and plans can change, but the report draws from multiple insiders and matches recurring rumors over the past year. The iPhone 18 Pro series would mark the biggest front-facing redesign since Dynamic Island debuted in 2022.
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