Apple’s iPhone has always been instantly recognizable from the front. For years, that wide notch and later the dynamic island made it clear that you were looking at an iPhone, even from a distance. But if a new leak about the iPhone 18 Pro series turns out to be accurate, that visual identity could lead to a major change, and not everyone is happy about it.

According to well-known tipster Digital Chat Station, Apple’s next-generation iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will stick with the familiar screen size but bring a larger new design up front. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to feature the same 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, while the Pro Max may retain its larger 6.9-inch LTPO panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The big difference is in how Apple plans to house its front camera and Face ID system.

iPhone 18 Pro will get a new design, users say that Apple’s iPhone is losing its identity.

The leak claims that Apple may remove Dynamic Island from the Pro models altogether. Instead, the company may introduce an under-display Face ID system with a small punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. An image shared by Apple Hub of the That detail alone has sparked intense debate online.

The reaction has been swift and divided. Many users feel that the design looks similar to Android phones, most of which have used a single punch-hole camera for years. Until now, Apple’s wider cutouts helped the iPhone stand out. In 2026, with Android phones mostly sporting a small center punch-hole and iPhones sticking to a wider notch or dynamic island, the difference was obvious. If Apple takes a similar approach, it could be hard to tell an iPhone from an Android phone at first glance.

As soon as the leaked photo spread, social media was filled with criticism. Some users described the design as odd, while others felt it looked old-fashioned. “I really hope this is a center point and not a hole punch on the right side. Would look weird,” one user wrote. Another said, “It wouldn’t get any better.” A separate comment read, “It’s not ugly, it just looks very old.” One particularly popular response expressed the mood saying, “And with that the iPhone will lose its identity.”

However, there were some voices welcoming the change. One user commented, “It’s ugly and a bit old, yes. I like it, the fact that it’s something different for once.” Still, the overall response suggests that many iPhone users aren’t ready to give up Dynamic Island just yet.

Why does Apple want to remove Dynamic Island from iPhones?

So why would Apple consider removing one of its most recognizable design elements? The likely answer is Apple’s long-term goal of creating a true all-screen iPhone. For years, the company has been working towards hiding cameras and sensors completely beneath the display, offering users a clean, unobstructed panel to consume content. Moving to smaller cutouts may be a step rather than the final destination.

Digital Chat Station has also claimed that Apple is planning to introduce its next-generation under-screen camera technology in foldable iPhones later this year. The device is said to use an under-display camera with no visible cutout, while relying on a side-mounted Touch ID button instead of Face ID due to space limitations. If that approach works well and users respond positively, Apple could bring similar technology to its mainstream models.

The same leak suggests that Apple has developed an advanced under-display version of its TrueDepth system, which powers Face ID. This setup reportedly uses a special micro-transparent glass layer within the display that allows the infrared sensor to function normally from below the screen. If accurate, this technology could first appear in the iPhone 18 Pro series, reducing or eliminating the need for Dynamic Island altogether.

For now, it’s worth remembering that these are still leaks and early design concepts. Apple has a history of testing many things before finalizing them. Whether the iPhone 18 Pro actually abandons the Dynamic Island and whether it adopts the left-aligned punch-hole remains to be seen.