Apple is said to bring the Dynamic Island to all iPhone 15 models this year, which is a massive step up from last year. Another change happening is on the inside, with the location of the proximity sensor said to be different, but will this have an effect on how buyers interact daily with their shiny new iPhone 15? Let us discuss this.

With the change in the Dynamic Island’s proximity sensor, Face ID could see an improvement

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo explains in this tweet that the proximity sensor will be present within Dynamic Island. While this should mean that Apple can potentially reduce the pill-shaped area, unfortunately, this is not mentioned in the tweet, so the size will likely remain the same. With the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max from last year, the proximity sensor was located under the display, taking up more space, and when you are working with a limited area, a sensor taking up real estate in a phone is a big deal.

Kuo does not explain why, with the change in the position of the proximity sensor, Dynamic Island’s size has remained the same, but it could likely be related to Apple’s supply chain. The technology giant would probably have informed its supply chain at the start of the year to produce the same panels since any alterations would increase unnecessary costs. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are already rumored to see a price hike this year, so Apple likely does not want another excuse to start raising those figures.

IQE將取代聯亞，成為iPhone 15系列的proximity sensor的磊晶晶圓 (epi wafer) 獨家供應商。所有iPhone 15機型雖均採用與iPhone 14 Pro機型相同的動態島設計，但差別在於iPhone 14 Pro將proximity sensor放置屏下/在動態島外，而iPhone 15系列則在動態島面積幾乎沒有變化下，將proximity…

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 24, 2023

As for the advantage of making the proximity sensor a part of the Dynamic Island, 9to5Macreports that Face ID could see an improvement, though no technical details are provided on how this will be possible. Coming to the suppliers, Kuo states that Finisar will provide Apple with 940n wavelength proximity sensors for the iPhone 15 models.

One can assume that it would have been possible for Apple to use a drop-shaped cutout instead of a pill-shaped one with the positioning change of the sensor, and that alone could transform into the Dynamic Island when displaying notifications. However, instead of complaining, we should remind ourselves that the company is bringing the feature to the non-Pro iPhone models later this year. It was completely possible for Apple to save up on manufacturing costs and incorporate the same notch from last year, so some credit should be given, assuming this report turns out to be true.

News Source: Ming-Chi Kuo