The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max use a smaller Dynamic Island that can display up to three simultaneous Live Activities. Apple confirmed the change in its September 9 announcement, and MacRumors reported how the new layout differs from the two-activity limit on previous Pro models.
Live Activities show changing information from supported apps at the top of the screen. Examples can include a delivery, a sports score, a ride or a timer. The new arrangement is designed to keep three live tasks available without requiring the user to open each app separately.
MacRumors said earlier iPhone models supported a maximum of two simultaneous Live Activities. The report described the iPhone 18 Pro change as part of a narrower Dynamic Island, not as a new standalone application or a separate subscription service.
Apple’s announcement connects the redesign to display and Face ID engineering. The company says the upgraded Dynamic Island can show more information at a glance while continuing to support Face ID for unlocking, purchases and app sign-ins.
The feature is a small interface change, but it affects how users see several active tasks at once. A person tracking a delivery while watching a game and running a timer could have more information visible without switching between screens, provided the relevant apps support Live Activities.
Apple also pairs the new interface with the A20 Pro chip, variable-aperture camera hardware and iOS 27. Those are separate product features, so the smaller island should not be treated as evidence that every app will immediately use three activity slots.
The iPhone 18 Pro models start preorders September 12 and become available September 18, according to Apple. Once the devices ship, app developers will need to test how their Live Activities behave in the narrower display region and how the three-item layout works in daily use.
