iPhone 18 Pro Leak Points to Apple’s Biggest Screen Redesign in Years
Apple’s next flagship iPhone could deliver its most noticeable visual change since the introduction of the Dynamic Island, according to a series of new leaks pointing to a redesigned display on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
While recent iPhone updates have focused on performance gains and incremental refinements, the screen itself has remained largely unchanged since Apple debuted the pill-shaped Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022. That may be about to change later this year.
Multiple reports now suggest Apple is preparing a smaller Dynamic Island cutout, alongside brighter, more power-efficient displays across the iPhone 18 lineup.
Dynamic Island Set for Its First Major Change
According to Ice Universe, a well-known leaker with a strong track record, the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro models will shrink significantly.
The cutout width is expected to drop from 20.76mm to 13.49mm, a reduction of roughly 35%. While this doesn’t eliminate the Dynamic Island entirely, it would represent the first major redesign since its debut.
Visually, the change would be subtle but instantly noticeable, especially for users upgrading from earlier Pro models. A narrower cutout would give the display a cleaner, more immersive appearance without disrupting Apple’s current Face ID system.
Industry speculation suggests Apple may be relocating parts of the Face ID hardware — potentially including the flood illuminator — beneath the display, allowing for the reduced footprint.
Which iPhones Will Get the Redesign?
The redesigned Dynamic Island is expected to remain exclusive to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, at least initially.
Previous leaks indicate that the standard iPhone 18 will likely miss out on the change, following Apple’s established pattern of reserving major display upgrades for Pro models first. The regular iPhone did not receive the Dynamic Island until a year after it debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro.
There is less certainty around the rumored iPhone Air 2, though its premium positioning and later launch timeline could make it a candidate for the updated design.
iPhone 18 Displays Could Get Much Brighter
Separate leaks point to a significant jump in display brightness for the iPhone 18 lineup.
A post from leaker Instant Digital on Weibo suggests Chinese display maker BOE may struggle to meet Apple’s new brightness requirements, describing them as unprecedented. If accurate, this implies Apple is pushing display suppliers beyond current standards.
For context, the iPhone 17 offers:
- 1,000 nits typical brightness
- 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness
- 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness
The iPhone 18 is expected to exceed those figures, potentially making it Apple’s brightest smartphone display to date.
Since the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro already share similar brightness levels, analysts expect the iPhone 18 Pro models to maintain a clear advantage, rather than being matched by the standard version.
iPhone 18 Pro Max: LTPO Plus and Efficiency Gains
Another report suggests the iPhone 18 Pro Max will debut Samsung’s LTPO Plus display technology, which could offer brighter visuals while consuming less power.
LTPO Plus panels dynamically adjust refresh rates more efficiently, aligning with Apple’s ongoing focus on battery life and sustainability. The result would be a display that looks better outdoors and during HDR playback without sacrificing endurance.
While fully under-display Face ID remains a longer-term goal, LTPO Plus may represent an important step toward that future.
Under-Display Face ID Still a Work in Progress
Some reports also claim Apple is moving closer to under-display Face ID, at least partially, on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
However, analysts caution that not all Face ID components — particularly the infrared camera — can yet be hidden without compromising performance. Apple is expected to proceed cautiously, prioritizing reliability and security over aggressive design changes.
If implemented, even partially, under-display Face ID would help explain the reduced Dynamic Island size expected on Pro models.
New Chip and Modem Rumored for iPhone 18 Pro
Beyond the display, the iPhone 18 Pro models are rumored to feature Apple’s A20 Pro chip, reportedly built on a 2-nanometer process. Such a shift would bring notable gains in power efficiency and performance.
There are also indications Apple may move further away from Qualcomm by adopting its own C-series modem, a transition aimed at tighter hardware integration and improved energy efficiency.
A More Obvious Upgrade Cycle Ahead
If these leaks hold true, the iPhone 18 Pro could mark one of Apple’s most visually distinct upgrades in years — not through radical redesign, but through meaningful refinements that users notice immediately.
A smaller Dynamic Island, brighter displays and improved efficiency would all reinforce Apple’s strategy of evolving the iPhone gradually while laying the groundwork for more dramatic changes in future generations.
As with all early leaks, details remain subject to change, but momentum is building around the idea that the iPhone 18 Pro’s display will be its standout feature.
