iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Appear Slimmer with Hidden Face ID

The iPhone 18 Pro will bring Face ID that is no longer clearly visible on the screen surface. (photo: x @dijitalturkiye_)

JAKARTA - Rumors about the iPhone 18 Pro are circulating again, and this time the focus is not on new colors or exotic materials, but something that has been a "signature" of Apple's screen: Dynamic Island. A number of recent reports say that the 2026 generation Pro model will come with a smaller Dynamic Island thanks to Face ID technology under the screen.

Bloomberg's report on Tuesday, February 24, strengthens long-standing speculation that Apple is preparing an under-display Face ID system for the iPhone 18 Pro. If true, this move will reduce the size of the camera cutout at the top of the screen without drastically changing the total design of the device.

Rumors about Face ID under the screen are actually not new. Since 2021, Apple is said to have developed the technology. In December 2023, it was claimed that the hidden Face ID hardware would debut in 2026 - a timeline that matches the iPhone 18 Pro cycle. Screen analyst Ross Young also echoed similar predictions in 2024 and 2025, calling 2026 the year of realization.

Several information leakers on Weibo have repeatedly confirmed this claim throughout 2025. The point is, the "rumor machine" seems to agree: the iPhone 18 Pro will bring Face ID that is no longer clearly visible on the screen surface.

However, as usual in the Apple leak world, the details are not entirely consistent. YouTuber Jon Prosser had claimed that Dynamic Island would be moved to the upper left corner of the screen. The claim was immediately denied by another leaker, Instant Digital, who said only the Face ID infrared sensor would be repositioned, while the front camera and Dynamic Island would remain in the middle of the top.

Ice Universe then added a more concrete dimension. He said the size of the Dynamic Island would be cut by about 35 percent, from 20.76 mm to 13.49 mm. If the figure is accurate, the visual change will be quite significant, although not revolutionary. Imagine a small pill that is getting smaller, but hasn't completely disappeared.

Technically, moving the Face ID component to the bottom of the screen is no small matter. The infrared sensor must still be able to project and read thousands of light points onto the user's face with high precision. The OLED screen must be transparent enough to the specific spectrum without sacrificing display quality. This is not just about hiding the selfie camera; it's about optics, material physics, and high-level precision engineering.

Apple itself has not confirmed this report. However, the direction of the industry is clear: a full screen without visual distractions is the "holy grail" of smartphone design. If Dynamic Island really shrinks without sacrificing biometric security, it will be a subtle but important evolution.

Interestingly, Apple seems to be choosing a gradual approach. Instead of immediately removing all holes and notches, the company is allegedly reducing them little by little. This strategy is consistent with Apple's philosophy: big changes often come in the form of small steps that feel natural.

If this rumor is accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro may not look radical in the promo photo. But behind the scenes - literally - there will be a technological leap that has been prepared for years. Sometimes a revolution is not about a striking new shape, but about making complex technology disappear from view,