# The Transformation of iPhone Displays: A Path to a Complete Screen Experience
Apple has tirelessly pursued a flawless iPhone display by reducing bezels and notches while keeping important features like Face ID and the front-facing camera intact. This ambition has resulted in notable design evolutions over time, with future versions hinting at exciting advancements as Apple moves closer to realizing its goal of an uninterrupted display.
## The Evolutionary Background of iPhone Design
Starting with the release of the original iPhone in 2007 up until the iPhone 7, Apple employed wide top and bottom bezels to house essential parts like the Home button, speaker, proximity sensor, and front-facing camera. However, by 2015 and 2016, this design began to appear dated, particularly as Android competitors adopted thinner bezels and repositioned fingerprint scanners to the back or side of their devices.
In response to these design changes, Apple launched the iPhone X in 2017, signifying a major transition in its design ideology. The iPhone X substituted the conventional Touch ID with Face ID and introduced the now-renowned notch, which minimized bezel size while still accommodating necessary sensors. Throughout the years, Apple has polished this notch, evolving it into the Dynamic Island feature seen in the latest iPhone 16 models.
## The Outlook for iPhone Displays: Anticipations
The forthcoming iPhone 17 is anticipated to retain the existing design with no major alterations to bezel dimensions. However, reports indicate that by 2026 and 2027, Apple intends to take more pronounced steps towards its all-display vision. Significantly, there are rumors that the company is working on situating Face ID components beneath the display by 2026, potentially eliminating the pill-shaped cutout currently part of the Dynamic Island.
This development could see the iPhone 18 Pro featuring a design showcasing just a small hole-punch cutout for the front-facing camera. A recent report from The Information also suggests that this camera cutout may be located in the top-left corner of the display, diverging from the conventional centered alignment.
### A Shift in Design Ethos
If these speculations are accurate, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max could feature a small hole cutout in the top-left corner to make room for the front-facing camera. This design alteration would not only signify a notable break from Apple’s typical symmetry but also herald future models where the front-facing camera could be placed beneath the screen, allowing for a genuinely edge-to-edge display. This evolution will coincide with the 20-year anniversary of the inaugural iPhone, marking a significant milestone in Apple’s design legacy.
While various smartphones have dabbled with front-facing camera placements in the top-left corner, Apple embracing this layout would be remarkable, given the company’s history of emphasizing symmetry and balance in its offerings.
## 9to5Mac’s Insight
Currently, the front-facing camera on the iPhone is not precisely centered; it is slightly skewed to the right. Yet, the Dynamic Island interface aids in balancing the overall look by incorporating the Face ID sensor and creating a visually harmonious element.
Apple could implement a similar approach with the iPhone 18 Pro. By expanding the Dynamic Island UI further to the left, the company might visually accommodate the offset camera cutout while also increasing the space for live activity indicators and additional content. Nonetheless, positioning the front camera in the top-left corner would mark a notable shift from the prevalent layout, which is centrally located on larger sections of the display.
## Closing Thoughts
As Apple persists in innovating and enhancing its iPhone models, the transition toward an all-display experience is becoming more palpable. With the prospective introduction of under-display Face ID technology and a new camera positioning strategy, the upcoming iPhone variants promise to revolutionize the smartphone landscape. With the 20-year anniversary of the iPhone on the horizon, it will be intriguing to observe how Apple merges its design principles with modern technological requirements, ultimately influencing the future of mobile devices.
