According to a recent report, the iPhone is set to undergo significant changes next September. The upcoming iPhone 17 Pro Max is expected to feature a reduced cut-out on its display, known as the Dynamic Island. Additionally, there’s speculation that Apple may alter the display technology of the iPhone to align it with that of the Apple Watch.
According to a report from the Korean site The Elec, following the recent alteration in the display type for the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple is contemplating making a similar modification for future iPhone models as well.
The newest Apple Watch features LTPO3 technology, distinguishing it from the LTPO used in previous models. According to a report translated by a machine, Apple revealed on its website that the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) LTPO TFT technology utilized in the Apple Watch Series 10 is indeed LTPO3.
Similarly to how Apple utilized the LTPO OLED display from the Apple Watch Series 4 for the iPhone 13 three years later, the company might implement a comparable upgrade for the next iPhone model.
There’s no guarantee that this will be available in time for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it’s certainly a possibility. Although it took three years for the technology from the Watch to transition to the iPhone, it’s worth mentioning that Apple implemented it across all models of the iPhone. It’s likely that this new technology could debut with the Pro version of the iPhone first, potentially as early as 2025. We’ll have to wait and see.
According to analyst Jeff Pu, as mentioned by Joe Rossignol from MacRumors, the latest design incorporates a technology known as a metalens. This advancement allows Apple to reduce the space occupied by the front-facing camera and Face ID components on the display.
Dynamic Island refers to Apple’s innovative feature that allows the area surrounding the screen’s cut-out to expand, contract, and alter its form. This functionality enhances the home screen by displaying additional details, such as album artwork during music playback or flight details from the excellent Flighty app while you’re waiting to board your flight.
Notably, Pu mentions that the upcoming update will be exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro Max and will not apply to the smaller iPhone 17 Pro. This revelation is unexpected and, if accurate, would mark a departure from established norms.
Although there have been variations in the back design of the iPhone, particularly regarding camera features, the Pro and Pro Max models have generally appeared quite similar—until now. It’s not unexpected that this alteration will not apply to the standard iPhone 17 versions.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term metalens, you’re in good company. According to MacRumor, a traditional iPhone camera utilizes curved lenses to guide light to the image sensor, whereas a metalens is a sleek, flat lens featuring tiny patterns that allow for more accurate light focusing. In his research update this month, Pu did not elaborate on Apple’s intended application of a metalens for the Face ID technology or clarify how this modification would lead to a more compact Dynamic Island.
The latest report reaffirms the details that Pu shared earlier this year, indicating that Apple’s strategy has remained steady and is continuing to progress along the same path.
Pu has consistently demonstrated high accuracy in their reports. Therefore, although I find it surprising that a design change for the Pro Max could potentially exclude the Pro, this is still a report that deserves serious consideration.