iPhone 17 With a Smaller Dynamic Island? Here's What Rumors Say

All four iPhone 17 models will adopt metalens technology for Face ID, according to Jeff Pu, an Apple analyst at equity research firm GF Securities. He revealed this information in an investor research note earlier this month.

iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island
Earlier this year, a leaker known as Digital Chat Station also claimed that the iPhone 17 Pro Max would adopt a metalens for Face ID that integrates the transmitter and receiver components. They said that this change would reduce the size of some of the Face ID components, resulting in a smaller Dynamic Island on the device.

Last year, Pu also said that the iPhone 17 Pro Max would have a much narrower Dynamic Island, as a result of the metalens. However, he now believes that all of the iPhone 17 models will adopt a metalens, meaning that the change would extend to the base model iPhone 17, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, and the smaller iPhone 17 Pro.

In January, however, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expects the Dynamic Island‌'s size to remain "largely unchanged" across the ‌iPhone 17‌ series.

All three sources have proven track records of sharing details about future Apple products, so it remains to be seen if the Dynamic Island will change in size.

In any case, next year's iPhone 18 Pro models are rumored to feature under-screen Face ID with only a small front camera hole.

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Top Rated Comments

211 Avatar
2 weeks ago
What I really hate about Dynamic Island is that it covers the 4/5G icon when it is active. I don’t know why Apple always thinks there is a data signal everywhere all the time. Maybe in San Francisco, but definitely not in the United Kingdom
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bradman83 Avatar
2 weeks ago
The dot projector used for FaceID is currently prism-based and takes up almost the entire thickness of an iPhone or iPad. This is the reason why FaceID is not currently doable in a MacBook's even thinner screen chassis. Switching to a metalens for the dot projector could potentially collapse the amount of space needed and allow Apple to finally offer FaceID on its laptops.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
42545 Avatar
2 weeks ago
one way or another the dynamic island occupies more space than the notch and I think it looks bad.If you put them side by side, the apps are higher on the one with the notch.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IAmStumped Avatar
2 weeks ago
I really like the Dynamic Island. I find it extremely useful. Hopefully they won't get rid of it altogether.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MRSugarD Avatar
2 weeks ago
Can't wait til the Dynamic Island is history. Hopefully by 2027 right in time for the 20th anniversary model.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
virginblue4 Avatar
2 weeks ago

It's hard for me to believe that Apple would make any significant changes to the Dynamic Island this year if they were planning to scrap it altogether next year.
You mean like making the notch smaller on the 13 Pro only to introduce the Dynamic Island the following year with the 14 Pro?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)