We seem to be getting closer to the “holy grail” of smartphone design: a true edge-to-edge display without any notch or punch-hole. However, it looks like there are still some important hurdles to solve. Apple is one of the companies that has been trying to reach this goal. Their first step would be to effectively hide the Face ID system under the panel, leaving only the punch-hole selfie camera visible. But according to the latest reports, Apple is hitting technical issues in its quest to hide the Face ID sensor array under the iPhone 18 Pro screen.
The latest leak comes from Weibo tech tipster Fixed Focus Digital. If true, the true full-screen future might still be a few generations away.
iPhone 18 Pro leak: The Dynamic Island isn’t leaving yet
According to the report, the engineering required to maintain Face ID’s accuracy through a layer of active pixels is proving difficult. Rumors suggested that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max would debut the radical Dynamic Island redesign. But now, instead of completely hiding the sensors under the screen, the company might opt for incremental changes. That is, there wouldn’t be a complete disappearance, but rather a generational “Dynamic Island shrinking.”
It’s noteworthy that other leakers, like Digital Chat Station, have said in the past that the front-facing design of the iPhone 18 Pro models could stay “largely unchanged.” However, the current consensus is that the Dynamic Island will live on in a more refined, smaller form factor. It seems the software-driven “island” has become such a core part of the iOS interface that Apple is in no rush to scrap it until the hardware is perfectly seamless.
The foldable wildcard
Interestingly, as the traditional iPhone faces these hardware hurdles, rumors regarding Apple’s first foldable device are heating up. The same supply chain sources describe the long-rumored “iPhone Fold” as a device that aims to be ultra-flat and moderately sized.
Perhaps most surprising is the claim that Apple intends to price this foldable “affordably”—at least by Apple standards. Reports say that supply chain expectations for production volumes are high. This suggests that Apple views the foldable market as a major volume driver rather than just a niche luxury item.
If these reports hold true, the “full-screen” iPhone remains a work in progress. For users planning to upgrade in the next year or two, the experience will likely feel familiar, featuring a slightly more compact version of the interactive cutout we have today.
As always with early rumors, it is best to take these details with a grain of salt. Technical challenges in the lab can be solved, or product timelines can shift.
