Apple is weighing two different design directions for the iPhone 18 Pro, according to a new report from Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station. The update arrives amid a flurry of foldable iPhone rumors and puts the spotlight back on the company’s next flagship, particularly the fate of the Dynamic Island cutout on the front of the device.
Apple Running A/B Test on Front Display Design
Earlier leaks had pointed to Apple moving certain Face ID components under the display on the iPhone 18 Pro, a change that would reportedly shrink the Dynamic Island by roughly 35 percent compared to the iPhone 17 Pro. The new report, however, suggests the situation is less settled than previously indicated.
Digital Chat Station says Apple is currently testing two versions of the front panel. One keeps the existing screen mold and Dynamic Island layout unchanged. The other introduces a significantly smaller cutout, described as a “Mini Dynamic Island,” enabled by repositioning Face ID hardware beneath the display. Apple has not yet committed to either option, which means the reduced cutout, arguably the most anticipated visual change for this generation, could still be dropped before production begins.
Rear Camera Layout Stays the Same, Minor Material Tweaks Expected
On the back, the iPhone 18 Pro is not expected to look dramatically different from its predecessor. The leaker confirmed that the rectangular camera plateau introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro will carry over to the next model without a structural redesign.
Apple is, however, said to be making subtle refinements to materials and finish. These include minor adjustments to the body material, a smoother transition between the aluminum frame and glass back, and updated color options. The overall direction aligns with earlier reports that Apple intends to refine the current design language rather than replace it.
Taken together, the leaks paint a picture of an incremental update. After the iPhone 17 Pro brought a more noticeable design shift, the iPhone 18 Pro appears headed toward a quieter refresh, unless the smaller Dynamic Island makes it through Apple’s internal testing. That decision, according to the leaker, is unlikely to be finalized until the device gets closer to mass production.
