iPhone 18’s screen could look nicer, but it won’t be the stuff of your dreams

The all-screen look will have to wait.

By Nadeem Sarwar Published September 15, 2025

An iPhone 16 Pro Max showing the Rolex Land Dweller. — Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Ever since Apple ditched the boat-shaped notch at the top of iPhones and replaced it with the pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout, pundits have predicted that it was the road to an all-screen iPhone. But it seems that dream will have to wait for at least another generation, though the pill-shaped display cutout could shrink next year.

Thinner, but not quite invisible

As per reliable leakster, Digital Chat Station, the Dynamic Island could be slimmer on the iPhone 18 series next year. Sharing their prediction on the Chinese microblogging platform Weibo, the leakster adds that Apple won’t move the camera and Face ID assembly entirely under the display and make them invisible.

Recommended Videos

So far, multiple Android phone makers have succeeded in achieving the all-screen look on their phones by using an under-display camera. Samsung has also flirted with the formula, but has since ditched it. Even smaller players such as Red Magic from China continue to offer the eye–pleasing tech, though the under-display camera sensor takes a toll on the image quality.

In Apple’s case, it’s a tad more complicated because the Dynamic Island contains not only an RGB sensor, but also an IR camera, dot projector, and floor illuminator hardware. It’s unclear how a layer of glass will affect the accuracy of biometric face authentication, but it surely isn’t going to be a cakewalk.

Is Apple waiting for the anniversary edition iPhone?

So far, reports of an under-display Face ID module have been fairly conflicting. “Apple likely plans to move its Face ID, proximity and light sensors beneath the display—bringing it closer to offering a fully uninterrupted screen, free of the unsightly pill-shaped cutout at the top,” The Information reported earlier this year, predicting the change to materialize in 2026.

But it seems the iPhone 18 series, due for an arrival next year, won’t offer the all-screen invisible Dynamic Island look. Apparently, that change has been reserved for the highly anticipated “anniversary edition” iPhone set to hit the shelves in 2020.

Bloomberg has reported on multiple occasions that the anniversary edition iPhone is chasing an all-glass design makeover, and it’s quite plausible that the device will also get a clean, all-screen look on the front. In the meantime, Apple has already slightly shifted the Dynamic Island position on the iPhone Air, and it seems a slimmer module is on the roadmap for next year.

Managing Editor

Nadeem is the Managing Editor at Digital Trends.

Topics

Phones

I’d trade the Pixel 11 Pro’s temperature sensor for HiLight every single time

I don’t miss the Pixel’s temperature sensor. I need HiLight more

Electronics, Mobile Phone, Phone

During the recent Pixel 11 announcement, Google showcased its new HiLight feature. We had our initial skepticism about it, but what caught my eye more was the temperature sensor being replaced. This was a feature barely anyone remembers (or uses), though it was something unique to the Pixels at the time.

The hardware eventually became capable of measuring body temperature, and I can appreciate the engineering behind squeezing something like this into a smartphone's body. Even then, I rarely had a reason to reach for it in day-to-day use. While I wasn't immediately drawn to the concept behind its replacement, I don't mind making this trade at all.

Phones

I played around with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. I think Google finally saw the right focus points

The Pixel Fold’s smallest upgrades make the biggest difference

Electronics, Phone, Mobile Phone

Google has a new foldable ready to hit the shelves, and it's quite a compelling package with some alarms going off. I spent some time with the phone earlier today, and after collecting my thoughts, I can’t quite figure out whether I should be excited about it or disregard it in favor of rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 pair.

The conundrum is warranted. It’s a $1,899 phone after all, and that’s the base price. But based on my limited time with the phone, it comes out as an overwhelmingly more practical device, especially for buyers based in the US. But let’s set aside the comparisons for the latter part of the debate.

Phones

Samsung may be going in for the full iOS-esque Liquid Glass look in OneUI 9.5

Well, well, well, Samsung could very much adopt the full Liquid Glass look instead of the mild-baked version we see currently.

Samsung Galaxy S26 showing the storage menu on One UI 8.5

Samsung appears to be preparing a major visual overhaul for One UI, with early leaks suggesting One UI 9.5 could adopt a more glass-like design with shinier edges, transparency, and greater visual depth.

The reported changes surfaced shortly after Samsung began rolling out One UI 9 Beta 5 for the Galaxy S26 series. According to Android Central, tipster Fahad Ali shared leaked screenshots of the upcoming interface on X, offering an early look at Samsung's apparent design direction.