With the latest iOS 16.1 beta, Apple has tweaked the design of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max to make it more visible on a dark background. When using a darker wallpaper or with the darker interface of Dark Mode activated, there is a light gray border around the outside of the Dynamic Island when the screen is dimmed or when the Dynamic Island is in active use.
The border does not show up on lighter color wallpapers where the Dynamic Island's outline is already visible, and it disappears when the iPhone is unlocked or when the Dynamic Island is not being used. If you play music or use an app that displays content in the Dynamic Island, the border will show up again.
In iOS 16.0.2, there is a very faint border around the Dynamic Island, but the iOS 16.1 beta makes it much more apparent. It is not clear why Apple has made this change, and what it ultimately adds to the Dynamic Island interface. For those who used dark backgrounds to make the Dynamic Island blend better into the screen around it, the new outline is something of a distraction.
Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone.
If you're thinking of...
Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone.
To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...
Ahead of the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 later this week, code in the watchOS 27 and iOS 27 betas points to a series of new features for the product line.
The information comes from a new post from MacRumors forums member "pdfu." The findings include:
New "Readiness" app: An all-new separate Watch app referred to in code as "Readiness," distinct from the...
