What to Expect from the iPhone 18 Lineup: Key Display and Design Trends

Daily Technology

19/01/2026

The upcoming iPhone 18 series has already begun to generate buzz, with supply chain sources revealing crucial insights into display technologies and interface designs. For technology industry practitioners, investors, and avid enthusiasts, here are the most significant trends to watch for Apple’s next major smartphone release, backed by current industry disclosures.

Evolution of LTPO 120Hz Displays Across the Lineup

Apple will continue deploying LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) OLED technology featuring 120Hz refresh rates across all iPhone 18 models. This advancement ensures smoother visuals, more responsive touch interactions, and improved power efficiency compared to older display types. Maintaining these specs, initially introduced in the iPhone 17 line, signifies Apple’s commitment to high-performance screens as a standard. Competitors like Samsung and OnePlus have similarly adopted LTPO panels, emphasizing their growing industry adoption and value.

Consistent Screen Sizes Without Major Changes

According to newly leaked information, the iPhone 18 lineup will retain the current screen size range: 6.27 inches for both the base and Pro models, and 6.55 and 6.86 inches for the Air 2 and Pro Max, respectively. This continued focus on established form factors reflects market research showing consumer preference for stable device sizes, mirroring strategies seen in Google’s Pixel and Samsung’s Galaxy series. The absence of larger or significantly altered formats underscores Apple’s efforts toward iterative, user-driven design refinements, rather than radical shifts.

Divergence in Dynamic Island Designs

A pivotal narrative for the iPhone 18 launch centers on Apple’s handling of the Dynamic Island, its distinctive display cutout. Reports indicate two approaches: the iPhone 18 and Air 2 will use the existing Dynamic Island, while the Pro versions are set to debut a novel under-display configuration. This newer design for the Pro models could involve a reduced pill shape or potentially migrate to a discrete hole-punch offset on the display, increasing both usable screen area and offering a cleaner look. Such a move resembles updates seen recently in high-end Android competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which eliminated notches in favor of subtle punch-hole cameras.

Under-Display Technology as a Premium Differentiator

The differentiation of Dynamic Island features across the range shows a continued strategy to reserve cutting-edge design and technology for higher-tier devices. Only the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will feature the new under-display cutout, leveraging advancements in display integration and miniaturization. This mirrors broader smartphone market trends, where brands such as Xiaomi and Oppo have explored under-display selfie cameras and sensors, aiming for a fully immersive screen experience for premium users.

In conclusion, the iPhone 18’s anticipated launch illustrates several important industry trends: consolidation of LTPO display technology, sustained device formats, and increasing use of sophisticated, tiered front-interface designs to differentiate product lines. These changes reflect ongoing investments in user experience and hardware integration, aligning Apple’s offerings with leading-edge industry practices.

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