iPhone 18 Pro CAD Leak Hints at Smaller Dynamic Island—But Source Raises Doubts

New alleged CAD renders of the iPhone 18 Pro have surfaced, claiming Apple will reduce the size of the Dynamic Island. However, the leak’s credibility remains unverified, reigniting the debate over the future of Apple’s signature display cutout.

An X user known as @earlyappleleaks posted the renders on Monday, asserting that “the new CAD confirms the smaller Dynamic Island of the iPhone 18 Pro.” The images show a noticeably narrower pill-shaped cutout, suggesting a shift in Apple’s design philosophy.

CAD (computer-aided design) files like these are typically shared with case manufacturers and accessory makers months before a product launch. They are often accurate but can be based on outdated or speculative prototypes.

“This leaker has no track record,” said Ming-Chi Kuo, a respected Apple analyst. “We should treat these renders as circumstantial evidence at best until Apple makes an official disclosure.”

The Leak and Its Limitations

The same X account previously shared an alleged prototype of the iPhone 18 Pro with a smaller Dynamic Island and a hint of under-display Face ID components. If Apple moves the Face ID sensor beneath the screen, the Dynamic Island could be slimmed down, but not eliminated entirely.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has consistently reported that Apple plans to shrink, not remove, the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro. “The company has considered moving the Face ID system under the display, but that technology may not be ready until the iPhone 19,” Gurman said in a recent newsletter.

Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station offered a contrary view, claiming the iPhone 18 Pro’s Dynamic Island will remain unchanged and that a smaller version is pushed back to the iPhone 19.

Background

The Dynamic Island debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro as a software-driven solution to hide the front camera and Face ID sensors. Since then, Apple has faced persistent rumors about transitioning to a hole‑punch camera with under‑screen Face ID—a rumor that peaked in early 2025.

Multiple leakers on Weibo and Twitter initially predicted the iPhone 18 Pro would eliminate the Dynamic Island entirely. Those predictions have since been contradicted by newer leaks and analyst reports. A similar pattern emerged with the iPhone 17 Pro, where a smaller Dynamic Island was widely expected but never materialized.

Apple is widely expected to announce the iPhone 18 Pro alongside its first foldable iPhone this fall, while the standard iPhone 18 will launch early next year under a new split-cycle strategy.

What This Means

If the latest CAD leak is accurate, consumers can expect a more discreet Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro, but not its complete disappearance. That would be a modest design refresh rather than a radical change.

For developers and accessory makers, a smaller Dynamic Island could require retooling screen protectors, cases, and camera bump cutouts. The uncertainty means vendors may wait for official schematics before committing to new product lines.

From a broader perspective, the back‑and‑forth rumors highlight Apple’s ongoing struggle to balance innovation with manufacturing readiness. Under‑display Face ID remains a sought‑after technology, but it may take another generation to perfect.

We will know for sure in a few months when Apple holds its annual iPhone event.