Here’s what got us where we are.
The introduction of the notch: iPhone X
It all started with the iPhone X back in 2017. That’s when Apple introduced Face ID, and that design became a recognizable iPhone look over the years.


The iPhone X. | Image by PhoneArena
As you can see here, the element is super huge and spans almost across the entire top section of the display.
Notch progression: from iPhone 11 to iPhone 14
The notch stayed for quite a long while, before being transformed into a Dynamic Island. At first, the iPhone 11 and 12 kept the same sized notch as the iPhone X.


The iPhone 13 vs the iPhone 12, the notch shrinks a bit. | Image by PhoneArena
The iPhone 13 and 14 looked nearly identical, though:


Which one’s which? The iPhone 13 and the iPhone 14. | Image by PhoneArena


The iPhone 14 Pro with the Dynamic Island and the regular iPhone 14. | Image by PhoneArena
The Dynamic Island
When Apple introduced the Dynamic Island, it made it sound revolutionary to the point of other companies starting to copy some of its features. And it’s not a bad addition, actually. It doesn’t just keep the Face ID sensors and selfie camera, but it can also be used for quick information and interacting with apps, so it was a pretty good idea.


The Dynamic Island can be used for apps. | Image by Apple


The era of the notch was officially gone with the iPhone 15 series. | Image by PhoneArena
The smaller Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 Pro
New rumors claim that the Dynamic Island is shrinking by about 35% (from 20.76 mm to 13.49 mm) on the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. This image by reputable leaker IceUniverse illustrates what we can expect:


That’s how the smaller Dynamic Island may look on the iPhone 18 Pro. | Image by IceUniverse
Under-display Face ID? iPhone 20
Currently, Apple is expected to offer us the “perfect” display with the 20th anniversary of the iPhone, which happens to be in 2027. Rumor has it that no Face ID sensors would be left on the display by then, and Apple may fit all the components under it for a seamless look.


Concept illustration what the iPhone 20’s display may look like. | Image by MacRumors
Sources from the industry have claimed we’ll see Face ID and the selfie camera both under the display. We’ll see if that will pan out, but it seems that, at least, Apple is slowly and surely going in the direction of a notch-free, Dynamic Island-free iPhone display that still keeps the elevated security that Face ID offers.
I, for one, am quite excited about this change.