A previously little-known leaker has published alleged CAD renderings of the iPhone 18 Pro – with a significantly reduced Dynamic Island. These images join a growing collection of conflicting information, little of which is yet reliable.
With just a few months to go before its expected unveiling in fall 2026, a key design detail of the iPhone 18 Pro remains controversial: Will the Dynamic Island be smaller – or will it remain unchanged? New alleged CAD images from an account on X now provide fresh arguments for the "smaller" camp. However, the assessment is sobering, as such renderings can be relatively easily faked. Our comprehensive collection of all rumors surrounding the iPhone 18 Pro shows just how confusing the sources have become on this topic.
What the new CAD leak shows
New renderings, allegedly derived from the technical schematics of the iPhone 18 Pro, are circulating on Platform X. Apple typically shares such CAD files with case and accessory manufacturers several months before launch, allowing them to prepare their products in time. In the images currently available, the Dynamic Island appears significantly slimmer than on the iPhone 17 Pro. The renderings were published by the account @earlyappleleaks, which commented that they confirm the reduction in size.
Why the source is a risk
This is precisely where the leak's weakness lies. The account is new to the Apple rumor scene and lacks a sufficiently documented track record. Previously, the same leaker had shown an alleged prototype of the iPhone 18 Pro with a smaller notch – a clue that also played a key role in early reports about under-display components. However, renderings of this kind are technically easy to manipulate. Therefore, we consider the current leak unreliable and point out that even high-quality-looking CAD images have little evidentiary value without further confirmation.
Multiple sources, a contradictory picture
Despite skepticism, the possibility of reducing the size of the Dynamic Island display is still on the table. Several independent insiders, including Bloomberg and established display analysts, recently reported a narrower design. Some even spoke of a reduction of around 35 percent. On the other hand, there are indications from the supply chain that describe an open A/B scenario: Apple is reportedly still wavering between the existing form factor from the iPhone 17 Pro generation and a new, smaller variant. This debate surrounding two parallel design options has dominated the news for several weeks. A final decision from the company has apparently not yet been made.
What Apple plans to do in the long term
Regardless of the specific details of the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple has been pursuing the goal of closing the front surface of its Pro models as much as possible for years. The Dynamic Island is considered a transitional solution – a deliberate interim step on the way to an iPhone whose TrueDepth components disappear completely under the display. A reduction in the size of the notch in the 2026 model year would therefore be logical. However, some reports from China suggest that this step won't occur until the 2027 iPhone. The smaller Dynamic Island would thus not be a mandatory feature of the iPhone 18 Pro, but rather an option that Apple can implement or postpone depending on the maturity of the components.
What buyers should take away from this
For those interested in the iPhone 18 Pro, the current leak has limited significance. The likelihood of the Dynamic Island shrinking increases with each reputable source that supports the rumor – however, it doesn't decrease with a single CAD image from an unknown account. Before the official unveiling this fall, further schematics, protective films, and dummy models are expected to surface. Only when these sources corroborate each other will it be possible to determine which direction Apple has decided. From today's perspective, the smaller Dynamic Island remains a realistic, but not guaranteed, design feature of the upcoming Pro model.
Apple's design decision remains up in the air
The CAD leak from the account @earlyappleleaks adds another piece to the Dynamic Island discussion without resolving it. As long as neither Apple nor reliable insiders provide definitive evidence, the question remains whether the iPhone 18 Pro will actually feature a narrower notch or whether the existing design will survive another year. The coming months should reveal which variant Apple ultimately puts into mass production. (Image: Shutterstock / Alex Malt)
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