iPhone 17 Pro Max could get a smaller Dynamic Island — here’s how (2024)

iPhone 17 Pro Max could get a smaller Dynamic Island — here’s how (1)

We’re still a long way off the launch of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t rumors about what upgrades to expect from the phone. The latest rumor has reiterated previous claims that Apple may be changing the size of the Dynamic Island on next year’s Max-sized iPhone.

This claim comes from analyst Jeff Pu in an investment note seen by MacRumors. According to Pu the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a “metalens” on its Face ID system, which will lead to a “much narrowed” Dynamic Island. However it sounds like this change will only be coming to the Pro Max, and none of the other devices in the iPhone 17 series.

As MacRumors points out, a traditional iPhone camera features a curved lens that redirects incoming light onto the image sensor. A metalens, on the other hand, is a thinner and flatter lens featuring microscopic etchings. This means it’s able to focus light with more precision, though it’s unclear how Apple will actually utilize this in Face ID.

Pu didn’t offer any additional details beyond the lens’s inclusion. Though presumably there’s something about the metalens that should allow Apple to shrink the combined real estate needed for the front camera and visible face ID components. Thereby reducing the size of the Dynamic Island pill.

Sadly we shouldn’t expect too much more to change with Dynamic Island and Face ID. While there have been rumors that Apple is working towards under-display Face ID, that redesign has apparently been delayed until 2026 at the earliest.

Which is a shame, because we’d love to see an iPhone that manages to hide all the Face ID hardware out of sight — leaving a single front camera lens in its wake. Here’s hoping Apple can get something sorted out before 2027, which marks the 10th anniversary of both Face ID and the iPhone X’s now-absurdly-sized notch.

No doubt we’ll hear more rumors as the months progress, though we will have to wait until next September before we know exactly what Apple has planned for Face ID going forwards. In the meantime be sure to check out our iPhone 17 hub for all the early news and rumors about the phone.

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox.

Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!

More from Tom's Guide

  • iOS 18.2 beta is here — and the EU is getting exclusive features the US can’t have
  • I just went hands on with Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 16 — this is huge
  • New Google longevity plan could allow Android phones to get 7 years of updates

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

More about iphones

I just went hands on with Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 16 — this is hugeSiri’s ChatGPT integration is here with iOS 18.2 — here’s how it handles your data

Latest

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra probably won't match the iPhone 16 Pro for display brightness — here's why
See more latest►

No comments yetComment from the forums

    Most Popular
    Black Friday just came early with the MacBook Air M2 for just $699 — and I just bought one
    Google Calendar just got the dark mode we’ve been waiting for — here’s how to activate it
    Leicester City vs Nottm Forest live stream: How to watch Premier League game online
    New Google longevity plan could allow Android phones to get 7 years of updates
    How to watch Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band online and on TV
    'Good Omens' season 3 just got a bittersweet update — here's what we know
    Oh no — older LG OLED TVs are set to get screensaver ads
    New Claude update introduces problem-solving tool — and it looks like a game changer
    How to watch World Series 2024: Dodgers vs Yankees Game 1, start time
    One of my favorite Prime Video shows just got renewed — 'The Legend of Vox Machina' is back for season 4
    How to watch 'Before' with Billy Crystal online and from anywhere
    iPhone 17 Pro Max could get a smaller Dynamic Island — here’s how (2024)
    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Recommended Articles
    Article information

    Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5798

    Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

    Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

    Birthday: 1997-12-23

    Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

    Phone: +494124489301

    Job: Marketing Representative

    Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

    Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.