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The iPhone 18 Pro selfie camera placement has been a hot topic of debate among Apple enthusiasts and tech analysts alike. Recent clarifications from trusted leakers suggest that earlier reports placing the front-facing camera in the left corner of the display were based on a translation error. According to industry insiders Ross Young and Instant digital, Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a centered selfie camera with a smaller, but still present, Dynamic Island.
What Sparked the iPhone 18 Pro Selfie Camera Confusion?
For phone enthusiasts, the term "island" immediately brings to mind Apple's Dynamic Island—the innovative feature that transformed the notch into an interactive element of the iOS experience. Since its introduction with the iPhone 14 Pro line on September 7th, 2022, the Dynamic Island has become a signature part of the iPhone's identity.
With Apple reportedly planning to move Face ID technology under the display for the iPhone 18 Pro series, speculation ran rampant about what would happen to the Dynamic Island and where the selfie camera would end up. FPT's Jon Prosser recently released renders showing the iPhone 18 Pro with a front-facing camera positioned in the left corner of the display. This design suggestion sparked widespread discussion across the tech community.
Ross Young and Instant digital confirm that the placement of the selfie camera in this iPhone 18 Pro render is incorrect. | Image credit: FPT
The Translation Error That Caused the Misunderstanding
A Weibo-based leaker known as Instant digital has come forward to clarify the situation. According to their post, the confusion arose from an incorrect translation of Chinese and Korean media reports. These original reports stated that Apple would place an under-screen infrared sensor on the left side of the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max displays—not the selfie camera itself.
An English-speaking author apparently misinterpreted the infrared sensor information as referring to the front-facing camera, leading to the erroneous renders and subsequent reports from The Information, ETNews, and FPT.
Instant digital's Weibo post machine translated, revealing the reason for the confusion. | Image credit: Weibo
What Ross Young and Instant Digital Say About the iPhone 18 Pro Display
Ross Young, co-founder of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) and a now-retired legend in the leaking community, has backed up Instant digital's claims. Young's track record for display-based leaks over the years puts him at or near the top of the most accurate leakers in the industry.
When discussing the correct layout for Face ID and the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro series, Young stated: "Yes this is what I alluded to months ago."
The Actual iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Display Layout
According to both Ross Young and Instant digital, here's what we can expect from the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max display design:
- Centered Selfie Camera: The front-facing camera will remain in the center of the display with a visible cutout.
- Smaller Cutout: The cutout on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be noticeably smaller than current iPhone models, thanks to Face ID components moving under the display.
- Dynamic Island Preserved: The Dynamic Island will remain unchanged and continue to be an integral part of the iOS experience.
- Face ID Under Display: The infrared sensors and other Face ID components will be positioned beneath the screen, reducing the overall footprint of the front-facing hardware.
Why Apple Won't Eliminate the Dynamic Island
Jon Prosser made an important point in his recent FPT video: the Dynamic Island has become too integral a part of both iOS and the overall iPhone experience for Apple to simply remove it. Since its debut, the Dynamic Island has served multiple purposes:
- Displaying ongoing activities like music playback, timers, and navigation
- Providing quick access to app functions without leaving the current screen
- Offering live updates for sports scores, ride-sharing status, and more
- Creating a unique visual identity that distinguishes iPhones from competitors
While the initial "wow factor" may have diminished over time, Apple surely has future plans for the feature that could reinvigorate excitement around the Dynamic Island.
iPhone Models Featuring the Dynamic Island
The Dynamic Island will celebrate its fourth anniversary when the iPhone 18 Pro series launches later this year. Here's a comprehensive list of iPhone models that include this feature:
- iPhone 17
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
When Will the iPhone 18 Pro Be Released?
Based on current information and Apple's typical release schedule, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be unveiled in September 2025. This announcement is also rumored to coincide with the reveal of the highly anticipated iPhone Fold—Apple's first foldable smartphone.
Interestingly, the base iPhone 18 model could follow a different timeline, with some reports suggesting an early 2027 release. This staggered approach would represent a departure from Apple's traditional simultaneous lineup releases.
What This Means for iPhone Enthusiasts
For consumers eagerly awaiting the iPhone 18 Pro, this clarification provides a clearer picture of what to expect. The centered selfie camera placement makes practical sense for several reasons:
- Better selfie composition: A centered camera makes it easier to frame photos naturally
- Symmetrical design: Maintains visual balance on the display
- Video call optimization: Centered placement creates better eye contact during FaceTime calls
- Consistent user experience: Aligns with what iPhone users have grown accustomed to
The smaller cutout, made possible by under-display Face ID technology, will also provide users with more screen real estate while maintaining the secure facial recognition they rely on daily.
The Bigger Picture: Apple's Display Evolution
This development represents another step in Apple's ongoing effort to maximize screen-to-body ratio while maintaining essential features. The journey from the original notch on the iPhone X to the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro, and now to under-display Face ID on the iPhone 18 Pro, shows Apple's commitment to refining the user experience without sacrificing functionality.
With competitors already offering under-display selfie cameras on various Android devices, Apple's approach appears more methodical—ensuring the technology meets their quality standards before implementation. The iPhone 18 Pro's display arrangement suggests Apple has found a way to balance innovation with the preservation of popular features like the Dynamic Island.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the selfie camera be located on the iPhone 18 Pro?
According to reliable leakers Ross Young and Instant digital, the selfie camera on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be centered at the top of the display, not in the left corner as earlier renders suggested.
Will the iPhone 18 Pro still have a Dynamic Island?
Yes, the Dynamic Island will remain on the iPhone 18 Pro series. However, it is expected to be smaller since Face ID components will move under the display, reducing the size of the visible cutout.
What caused the confusion about the iPhone 18 Pro's camera placement?
The confusion stemmed from a translation error. Original Chinese and Korean reports mentioned an under-screen infrared sensor on the left side, which was mistakenly interpreted as referring to the selfie camera by English-speaking media.
When will the iPhone 18 Pro be released?
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be unveiled in September 2025, alongside the rumored iPhone Fold. The base iPhone 18 model may arrive in early 2027.
Will Face ID work differently on the iPhone 18 Pro?
Face ID is expected to move under the display on the iPhone 18 Pro, which will reduce the visible cutout size. However, the functionality should remain the same, providing secure facial recognition for unlocking and authentication.
Who are Ross Young and Instant digital?
Ross Young is the co-founder of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) and is widely regarded as one of the most accurate leakers for display-related information. Instant digital is a Weibo-based leaker who has provided reliable information about upcoming Apple products.
Will the iPhone 18 Pro have an under-display selfie camera?
No, the iPhone 18 Pro will not feature a fully under-display selfie camera. The front-facing camera will still have a visible cutout, though it will be smaller than current models due to Face ID moving beneath the screen.
