iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island: Is Apple Moving to a Corner Punch-Hole?

As the tech world turns its gaze toward 2026, massive leaks suggest Apple is preparing a radical design overhaul for its flagship smartphone. The iconic pill-shaped cutout introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro may finally evolve, with the iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island potentially transforming into a discreet punch-hole or shifting entirely to the screen’s corner. Driven by breakthrough under-display Face ID technology, this change could mark the biggest shift in iPhone aesthetics in years.

The End of the “Pill”? Under-Display Face ID Explained

For several generations, the Dynamic Island has defined the iPhone’s front profile. However, fresh reports indicate that the iPhone 18 Pro will likely debut Apple’s long-awaited under-display Face ID system.

Micro-Transparent Glass Technology

To achieve this, Apple is reportedly testing a “spliced micro-transparent glass” technology. This innovation allows infrared light from the TrueDepth sensor array to pass through the display pixels without distortion, enabling secure facial authentication without a visible notch or large pill-shaped cutout.

• The Result: The sensors disappear beneath the screen, leaving only the front-facing camera visible.
• The Goal: This is a critical transitional step toward Apple’s “all-screen” dream, expected to fully materialize by the iPhone’s 20th anniversary in 2027.

A Radical Design Shift: The Top-Left Camera Rumor

While many expected a smaller, centered punch-hole similar to Android flagships, a controversial new leak suggests a bolder direction. Prominent leaker Jon Prosser and other sources claim the iPhone 18 Pro might relocate the selfie camera to the top-left corner of the display.

How the Interface Could Adapt

If the camera moves to the corner, the iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island software would essentially be “anchored” to this new position.

• Smaller Footprint: The hardware cutout would effectively be a single hole, significantly reclaiming screen real estate compared to the current centered pill.
• Persistent UI: The software “Island” would likely expand from this corner for alerts, Live Activities, and media controls, maintaining the familiar interaction model but in a less intrusive location.
• Visual Change: This would break the symmetry Apple has maintained for a decade, signaling a distinct visual identity for the 2026 Pro models.

Conflicting Reports: Center vs. Corner

Not all analysts agree on the corner placement. Display analyst Ross Young and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have notably predicted that while the Dynamic Island will shrink due to under-display components, it might remain centered. Some sources suggest the “pill” will simply become a much smaller “dot,” retaining the central symmetry users are accustomed to.

Regardless of the position, the consensus is that the Face ID sensors are going underground, and the visible black cutout is getting significantly smaller.

Beyond the Display: Other iPhone 18 Pro Upgrades

The display isn’t the only area seeing massive changes. The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to be a powerhouse release.

• Variable Aperture Camera: The main rear camera may feature a mechanical variable aperture, allowing for DSLR-like control over depth of field and natural bokeh.
• A20 Pro Chip: Built on a next-generation 2nm process, this chip is expected to deliver a 15% speed boost and 30% better power efficiency.
• In-House Modem: The device may debut Apple’s custom C2 5G modem, reducing reliance on external suppliers like Qualcomm.

The iPhone 18 Pro appears poised to deliver the most significant display update since the iPhone X. Whether the iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island shrinks to a center dot or migrates to the top-left corner, the arrival of under-display Face ID technology is all but confirmed by supply chain chatter. As 2026 approaches, Apple seems ready to finally blur the line between hardware and screen, bringing us one step closer to a seamless slab of glass.

Tags: iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island, under-display Face ID, iPhone 18 rumors, Apple A20 chip, variable aperture camera, iPhone 2026 design, Jon Prosser leaks, Ross Young display analysis