iPhone 17: Leak shows smaller Dynamic Island in the Pro model

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The launch of the iPhone 17 series is imminent. As is the case every year, numerous leaks and speculations are circulating even before Apple officially unveils the new models. A new report is currently attracting attention: The Dynamic Island on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max could be smaller than before.

The Dynamic Island has been standard on Pro models since the iPhone 14 Pro. The oval cutout replaces the traditional notch and integrates features like notifications, timers, and music playback into an interactive area at the top of the screen. With the iPhone 17, Apple appears to be working on this feature again – but only on the higher-end devices.

New leak shows: Dynamic Island is getting smaller – but only on Pro and Pro Max

An anonymous leak on Platform X (formerly Twitter) brings new details to light. User @that_one_g3 has published images that allegedly show internal renderings of screen protectors for the next iPhone generation. According to the leak, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a Dynamic Island that's about 25 percent smaller. According to the images, the width of the Dynamic Island is reduced from about 2 cm to about 1.5 cm. The standard models—the iPhone 17 and the newly introduced iPhone 17 Air—retain the previous Dynamic Island size.

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Origin of the information

The leaker claims to work for a company specializing in the production of iPhone screen protectors. The published images appear to be taken from an internal system that stores the shapes and cutouts for upcoming screen protectors. While this is the first leak from this account regarding Apple products, the timing fits the usual pattern. Details about accessory manufacturers or suppliers often become public shortly before product launches.

Reasons for the change in Dynamic Island

A smaller Dynamic Island module offers several advantages. Technically, it creates more space for content on the display and is visually less obtrusive. It also presents Apple with an opportunity to differentiate the Pro models even more clearly from the standard models. This move fits with Apple's previous strategy of testing innovations first in the Pro series before potentially rolling them out to the entire model range in subsequent years.

Differentiation of the models

The smaller Dynamic Island is one of several features that could differentiate the Pro models from the rest of the iPhone 17 series. In recent years, Apple has increasingly focused on a division between standard and Pro models in terms of camera, display, and materials. The iPhone 17 Air—a new name in the product line—will apparently take on the role of the lower-priced model and possibly replace the previous iPhone Plus. It will retain the familiar Dynamic Island size, while the innovation will be reserved exclusively for the premium class.

iPhone 17: Rumors intensify shortly before launch

Whether the leak is ultimately true can only be determined with the official unveiling of the iPhone 17 series. However, there are increasing indications that Apple is deliberately redesigning the Dynamic Island – but only for the Pro versions. With a 25% smaller cutout, Apple would expand the control surface and simultaneously create another distinguishing feature between the model variants. As is so often the case with Apple, final proof will not be forthcoming until the keynote – but the puzzle of leaks already forms a coherent picture. (Image: MajinBu)