According to the latest news from the well-known Weibo whistleblower "Digital Chat Station", Apple is still weighing two different plans for the "Smart Island" design of the iPhone 18 Pro, and the final version has not yet been finalized.
The source said that the latest feedback from the supply chain shows that Apple is testing A/B solutions: one solution is to use the existing screen opening module of the iPhone 17 Pro; the other is to introduce a significantly smaller "mini smart island" on the screen. The key is to move the receiving and transmitting components of Face ID down to the bottom of the screen, thereby reducing the front opening area. The tipster also said that if Apple finally chooses the "Mini Smart Island" solution, iPhone 18 Pro sales will be "almost no problem."
This statement is slightly adjusted from its revelations at the beginning of the year. Previously, "Digital Chat Station" said that Apple prefers to reuse the previous generation design, which means that the iPhone 18 Pro's smart island shape remains basically unchanged. At that time, this statement was inconsistent with multiple sources of information - including Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, display supply chain consulting company DSCC analyst Ross Young, and multiple Weibo whistleblowers, all said that the iPhone 18 Pro's smart island area will be reduced by about 35% compared to the iPhone 17 Pro.
In the latest revelations, "Digital Chat Station" also mentioned the back design of the iPhone 18 Pro. He pointed out that the rectangular camera "island" first used in the iPhone 17 Pro will continue to the iPhone 18 Pro, but there will be "minor adjustments" to the material and detailed design of the back of the fuselage. These changes are likely to echo previous rumors about improved body integrity - Apple is accused of hoping to make the back look more unified by adjusting the transition between the aluminum alloy integrated middle frame and the wireless charging glass opening.
According to the current product pace, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are expected to be officially released this fall, and are expected to appear on the same stage as Apple's first foldable screen iPhone.