The iPhone 17's notch may be smaller or pill-shaped holes. 1. Apple may shrink notch because of sensor miniaturization, user needs and competitor influence. 2. It is expected that the iPhone 17 will use pill-shaped holes similar to the iPhone 16, integrating the front camera and Face ID sensor. 3. It is also possible to have a full screen without notch, but the premise is that component technology continues to improve. 4. Face ID is likely to remain as it is deeply integrated into iOS security features. 5. Under-screen fingerprint recognition or combining with other biometric technologies is a possible direction in the future, but it is unlikely that notch will be completely cancelled in the short term.

Apple hasn't officially announced the iPhone 17 yet, so we don't have confirmed details about its design. But based on trends and leaks from previous years, it's reasonable to expect that Apple will continue refining the front display layout — which means a smaller notch or even a pill-shaped cutout similar to what we've seen on recent iPad Pros.

Why Apple Might Reduce the Notch Size

Since the introduction of the notch with the iPhone X in 2017, Apple has been gradually shrinking it. Each generation brings more compact Face ID hardware and improved screen integration. With the iPhone 16 series, the Dynamic Island is already housed in a pill-shaped cutout, which takes up less visual space than the older notch style.

• Improved sensor miniaturization allows for less intrusive front-facing components.
• User demand for more screen real estate without visual distractions is growing.
• Competitors are pushing thinner notches or hole-punch designs, which likely influences Apple's direction.

So while we can't say for sure yet, the trend strongly suggests Apple is heading towards a cleaner, more minimal front display layout by the time the iPhone 17 launches.

What to Expect in iPhone 17 Display Design

If history repeats itself, the iPhone 17 might feature:

• A pill-shaped cutout (like the iPhone 16) that combines the front camera and Face ID sensors in a more compact format.
• Possibly a hole-punch camera if Apple decides to ditch Face ID entirely — though that seems unlikely unless they introduce an under-display fingerprint sensor.
• A fully edge-to-edge screen with no notch at all, assuming component tech continues to improve.

Even if there's no major change, Apple could refine the current cutout to make it visually less disruptive — for example, by improving black bars around it or integrating it better into the UI.

Will Face ID Still Be Around?

It's still expected that Face ID will remain on the iPhone 17, especially since it's deeply integrated into iOS security features. That means some kind of front-facing sensor array will still be needed — though it may be much smaller or hidden better than before.

• Under-display Face ID tech isn't mature enough yet for mass production.
• Apple may combine Face ID with new biometric options like ultrasonic fingerprint scanning , but that's speculative.
• If Face ID is replaced, it would probably happen after a few more generations.

So unless Apple makes a surprise shift, you'll likely still see some version of the notch or cutout on the iPhone 17 — just smaller and smarter.

Final Thoughts: Evolution, Not Revolution

The iPhone 17 won't suddenly eliminate the notch overnight. It'll probably continue the graduate evolution we've seen over the past few years — slightly smaller cutout, better integration with the screen, and maybe a bit more clever software handling around it.

We'll know more once Apple gets closer to the 2025 launch. Until then, it's safe to assume things will keep getting sleeper — just not dramatically different.

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