A slimmer cutout may be one of the first visible signs of Apple’s next front-end redesign, with new CAD renders pointing to a smaller Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro. The change is not a full move to a hole-free display, but it would still mark a noticeable step toward a cleaner front panel.
The latest leak, shared by the X account @earlyappleleaks and linked to technical schematics used by accessory makers, suggests that Apple is testing a more compact layout for its Pro model. These kinds of documents are often used to make cases, so they are frequently treated as early clues about a device’s exterior design.
A smaller pill-shaped cutout
In the leaked render, the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro is said to measure about 14.98 mm in width. That figure is claimed to be roughly 25 percent smaller than the cutout on the iPhone 17 Pro.
This is not the first indication that Apple may be trimming the front cutout. Earlier dummy units and screen protector images had already pointed in the same direction, with some reports suggesting the reduction could reach as much as 35 percent.
Why the design may shrink
The possible reduction appears tied to an internal layout change. Apple is said to be considering moving the flood illuminator for Face ID under the display, which would free up visible space on the front of the phone.
Even so, the front of the iPhone 18 Pro would not become completely seamless. The infrared camera is still expected to require a visible cutout, which means the device would likely keep some kind of opening at the top of the screen.
That would place Apple in a middle stage rather than at a fully uninterrupted display. The Dynamic Island would become smaller, but it would not disappear entirely.
A feature Apple has been refining gradually
The Dynamic Island sits in the center of the top display area and uses a pill-shaped design. Apple introduced it in September 2022 on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, replacing the wider notch that defined earlier models.
Since then, Apple has continued to refine the area in small steps. The changes have been evolutionary rather than dramatic, which is why a smaller version on the iPhone 18 Pro has drawn extra attention.
Not a final design yet
There is still some uncertainty around the finished product. Earlier reports said Apple is exploring several design options for the iPhone 18 Pro as part of A/B testing, which means the company may still be comparing different layouts before settling on one final version.
One option reportedly keeps the current display mould unchanged. Another introduces a “Mini Dynamic Island” that is smaller than the one used now.
That detail matters because a CAD render does not guarantee the final retail design. If Apple decides to keep the existing mould, the cutout could remain close to the size seen on the previous generation.
The rear may stay familiar
While the front could change more noticeably, the back of the iPhone 18 Pro is said to remain largely familiar. Apple is reportedly keeping its iterative approach, with the rectangular camera plateau expected to stay in place.
Any changes on the rear side would focus more on materials and finish than on a major redesign of the camera layout. That makes the display area the most likely place for a visible difference this time.
The broader iPhone 18 series is also said to be heading toward aggressive pricing even as component costs rise. With cost pressure and design updates moving in parallel, the smaller Dynamic Island stands out as one of the clearest clues to Apple’s priorities for the Pro model.
