The iPhone 18 Pro Dynamic Island could soon look a lot less intrusive if a new leak is on the cards. A post from renowned leaker Ice Universe states that Apple has reduced the cutout width on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max from 20.76mm to 13.49mm, a reduction of around 35%.
This is a significant design change because it is one of the few pieces of front hardware that you notice dozens of times a day. Another rumored comparison post in your screenshots points in the same direction and represents a fresh look compared to the iPhone 17 Pro.
There are still open questions, such as how the measurement was carried out, whether the height also changes and how close it is to the final series hardware. However, if this drop in width persists, the dynamic island may transition from focal point to background detail.
It’s a measurable change if it lasts
What makes this rumor seem more concrete than most is the specificity. Instead of a vague “smaller cutout”, both Pro models rely on a precise change in width. Still, it’s not clear from the screenshots what the number is based on, such as a prototype in hand, CAD drawings, or early component specifications.
This lack of context is important because the presence of the cutout is not just about width. A small shift in height or corner shape can change the way your eye reads the top of the display. Treat this as a promising data point rather than a lock until more sources repeat the same dimensions with clearer attribution.
How your screen might feel different
A slimmer tablet would, above all, change the look of the phone. With bright apps, photos and white websites, the cutout is hard to miss. Making it narrower will make the top edge look cleaner, even if you don’t gain a large portion of the usable display.
It could also change Apple’s UI options. Dynamic Island thrives on animations, live activities and quick controls, all designed for a specific floor plan. As hardware shrinks, Apple may tighten up the way these elements expand and stack so they’re still clearly readable at a glance.
What you should consider before purchasing
This isn’t the kind of leak you should base a purchase on yet. No timeline is attached to the posts beyond the iPhone 18 Pro name, and there is no confirmation that the change is intended for mass production rather than one of several internal designs.
Still, a neckline that’s about a third narrower is the kind of optimization you see every day. The most important test point now is the repetition of other leaks. If the claim appears again with the same breadth, ideally backed up by parts drawings or multiple leakers dealing with the same numbers, it goes from “interesting” to “credible.”
