• A leaker has suggested the iPhone 17 may receive an updated Dynamic Island
• It could adopt a more compact, slimmer shape
• Not all sources agree that the Dynamic Island will be altered

The Dynamic Island on the iPhone 16 serves as a useful space for displaying app-related data—like countdown timers and live sports scores—so you can monitor key updates without switching apps. With the iPhone 17 expected later this year, there may be notable adjustments to how the Dynamic Island looks and works.

Details like these have come from tipster Digital Chat Station via Weibo, a Chinese social media platform. According to a translated version of their post, the iPhone 17 series “has a new smart island UI.”

Digital Chat Station didn’t elaborate further on the changes to the Dynamic Island in this latest update, but earlier reports claimed it might be the smallest version ever seen. This reduced size might also appear on future Apple devices such as a foldable iPad and upcoming iPad Pro models, hinting at broader use across Apple’s product lineup.

On the other hand, well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has a different take. He stated back in January that the Dynamic Island is likely to “remain largely unchanged across the 2H25 iPhone 17 series.” At this point, it's unclear who will turn out to be right.

Island life

Since moving up from my iPhone 12 Pro—which had a fixed notch at the top of the screen—to the iPhone 16 Pro, I've really grown to appreciate the Dynamic Island. Its adaptability and ability to simplify multitasking are major pluses, and it doesn't get in the way or feel overly complicated.

I personally don’t mind its current size, because what matters most is how useful it is. But if Apple finds a way to make it smaller while keeping all the features intact, that would be even better. It wouldn’t be the main reason for me to upgrade to the iPhone 17 series, but anyone who uses it will probably enjoy the outcome.

The Dynamic Island wasn’t the only thing mentioned in Digital Chat Station’s post. The source also indicated that the iPhone 17 Pro models may include a “horizontal large matrix new design” (likely pointing to the anticipated horizontal camera layout) and a “5X High-Pixel Periscope” zoom lens.

We’ll find out more once Apple unveils the iPhone 17 series in September, and we’ll finally see whether the Dynamic Island has been redesigned—or if it stays exactly as it is now.

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