iPhone 18 to Keep Same Bezels, But a Smaller Dynamic Island Is Coming

Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 lineup may look very familiar at first glance. According to new leaks, the company is keeping the display bezels unchanged compared to the iPhone 17 series, meaning the overall screen size and footprint will stay the same.

However, there is still one visible design improvement on the way—a smaller Dynamic Island.

No Changes to Display Bezels

The thin black borders around the display, often referred to as bezels, are expected to remain identical to the current generation.

That means the screen-to-body ratio won’t increase this year, and the front design will look nearly the same as the iPhone 17 lineup. Apple appears to be holding off on any major redesign to the outer frame for now.

This lines up with other reports suggesting the 2026 iPhones will focus more on internal upgrades rather than external changes.

A Noticeably Smaller Dynamic Island

While the bezels stay the same, the Dynamic Island is expected to shrink.

Leaks suggest Apple could reduce the size of the cutout by around 35 percent on higher-end models. This would make the front of the phone feel cleaner, even if the overall design remains familiar.

The smaller cutout is likely the result of Apple moving some Face ID components beneath the display, though not all of them just yet.

Why Apple Is Taking This Approach

Apple is known for gradually evolving its designs rather than making sudden, risky changes—especially when it comes to core features like Face ID.

Completely removing the cutout requires reliable under-display sensors, and reports suggest that technology still isn’t ready for a full rollout. By shrinking the Dynamic Island instead, Apple can improve the design while continuing to refine the underlying tech.

Focus Shifts to Internal Upgrades

Instead of redesigning the exterior, Apple is expected to invest heavily in what’s inside the iPhone 18 lineup.

Rumors point to a new 2-nanometer A20 chip, increased memory up to 12GB of RAM, and improvements to the camera system. These upgrades could deliver meaningful performance and efficiency gains, even if the device looks similar on the outside.

A Familiar Look, With Subtle Refinements

The iPhone 18 series is shaping up to be a refinement year rather than a redesign year.

Users may not see dramatic visual changes, but the smaller Dynamic Island and upgraded internals should still improve the overall experience.

The Bigger Picture

Apple’s long-term goal remains a fully uninterrupted display with no cutouts at all. The iPhone 18 appears to be another step in that direction, even if it doesn’t deliver the final vision just yet.

For now, expect a device that looks familiar—but feels more polished and powerful where it counts.