The iPhone 18 Pro is poised to see one of the most striking design changes in years. Internal reports and early renderings suggest that Apple could significantly alter the position of the selfie camera and the Dynamic Island. Instead of being centered as before, both elements are expected to appear on the left side of the display. This potential change is closely linked to a fundamental technical overhaul of Face ID and could have a lasting impact on the appearance of the iPhone's front.
Apple has been working for years to continuously reduce the visible cutouts in the display. The iPhone 18 Pro could represent another step in this direction. For the first time, the Face ID module is expected to disappear completely beneath the display. This creates space for a new placement of the front camera and, inevitably, for adjustments to the Dynamic Island. The discussion revolves less around whether anything will change, but rather how consistently Apple will implement this new design approach.
Punch-hole selfie camera instead of a central cutout
One of the most significant changes to the iPhone 18 Pro concerns the selfie camera. A classic punch-hole design is expected, with only a small, round camera hole visible in the display. The Face ID module is expected to be fully integrated under the screen and no longer visible from the outside.
Until recently, it was considered likely that this punch-hole camera would remain centered at the top of the display, similar to the current placement of the camera and Face ID. However, a new report contradicts this assumption. According to The Information, Apple plans to move the selfie camera to the upper left corner of the display, where the clock is currently located.
Impact on the Dynamic Island
Moving the camera to the left would have direct consequences for Dynamic Island. Since this feature was originally introduced to visually conceal the separate cutouts for the selfie camera and Face ID, its original purpose would technically no longer be necessary on the iPhone 18 Pro.
Nevertheless, YouTuber Jon Prosser assumes that Apple will stick with Dynamic Island. In his estimation, the feature is now too established and too useful to be removed without a replacement. Instead, he expects Dynamic Island to simply be moved to the left.
Prosser has published a video rendering showing what a left-positioned Dynamic Island could look like. In this rendering, the functionality is fully retained, but it no longer appears in the center; instead, it starts in the top left corner of the display.
Design and user experience
A Dynamic Island positioned on the left noticeably alters the visual balance of the iPhone's front. To prevent the design from appearing unbalanced, it's crucial that Dynamic Island continues to utilize the full width of the display for animations and live activities. This would avoid an asymmetrical impression, even if the animations originate on the left.
In principle, there's little to suggest that both a centrally located and a left-mounted selfie camera can't work well. The crucial factor isn't so much the exact position, but rather the seamless integration into the overall software and hardware system. With this approach, Apple could make the design appear more modern without sacrificing familiar features.
Redesign of the front of the iPhone 18 Pro
The iPhone 18 Pro could mark a clear turning point in front design. The combination of a punch-hole selfie camera, invisible Face ID, and a potentially left-shifted Dynamic Island shows how Apple is refining existing concepts rather than abandoning them entirely. Should this report prove true, it's less of a radical overhaul and more of a functional realignment that visually distinguishes the iPhone 18 Pro from its predecessors while retaining proven elements. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those compatible with HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Ekaterina_Minaeva)
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