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

42545 Avatar
1 day ago at 11:58 am
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: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bradman83 Avatar
1 day ago at 12:13 pm
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: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
211 Avatar
1 day ago at 11:56 am
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: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
IAmStumped Avatar
22 hours ago at 01:56 pm
I really like the Dynamic Island. I find it extremely useful. Hopefully they won't get rid of it altogether.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
darngooddesign Avatar
23 hours ago at 01:01 pm

Or Apple could stop pretending everyone wants giant razor blade as a laptop and thicken it up a bit. lol.
Can you imagine if they made the MacBook Pro lid as thick as the iPad Pro just to use Face ID. Laughably bad decision.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MRSugarD Avatar
23 hours ago at 12:23 pm
Can't wait til the Dynamic Island is history. Hopefully by 2027 right in time for the 20th anniversary model.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)