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iPhone 15 Dynamic Island – what you need to know

What is Dynamic Island?
Last Updated on September 18, 2023
iPhone 15 Dynamic Island – what you need to know iPhone image credits: Future / Lance Ulanoff
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Apple revealed the iPhone 15’s lineup at its 2023 Wonderlust event. The four models announced were the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple has made several significant changes to the iPhone 15. For instance, it has shifted from Lightning to USB-C charging, introduced on-device Siri, etc. However, users are concerned about whether the iPhone 15 has the Dynamic Island introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Here’s what we know.

Will the iPhone 15 feature Dynamic Island?

Great news for iPhone enthusiasts—Dynamic Island is not exclusive to the pro versions anymore! Apple has decided to include this feature in all models of the iPhone 15 series. So, whether you opt for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max, you’ll get to experience the benefits of Dynamic Island.

What is Dynamic Island?

For those unfamiliar, Dynamic Island is an area on the display that houses the Face ID sensors, selfie camera, and other essential components. It’s a more refined version of the traditional notch, offering a sleeker look and more screen real estate.

How Dynamic Island integrates with iOS and bionic chipset

Dynamic Island works seamlessly with iOS to provide a fluid user experience. The bionic chipset in the iPhone 15 series ensures that the sensors and main camera function efficiently, enhancing features like Face ID and voice isolation.

Battery life and Dynamic Island

You might wonder if Dynamic Island affects battery life. Well, Apple has optimized the feature to be energy-efficient, so you can enjoy extended battery life compared to last year’s iPhone models.

Camera and megapixels

The main camera on the iPhone 15 series boasts impressive megapixels, and the selfie camera is no slouch either. Dynamic Island houses these cameras without compromising on the quality of your photos.

Build quality: Titanium frame

The iPhone 15 series also features a robust titanium frame, which adds to the device’s durability while maintaining a premium look.

Additional features

  • Switch and Cables: The iPhone 15 series comes with a new switch design and improved cables for better roadside assistance.
  • iPad Compatibility: Interestingly, rumors suggest that Dynamic Island technology might soon make its way to iPads.

By incorporating Dynamic Island across all its iPhone 15 models, Apple has indeed taken a significant step forward, offering users an enhanced experience, whether it’s in terms of sensor technology, camera quality, or overall device performance.

What is Dynamic Island?

Most iPhones have a notch at the top center of the screen. However, Apple converted this notch into a part of the screen in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. The cut-out replaces the notch at the top center of the screen and houses the face recognition components and front camera.

If your iPhone supports Dynamic Island, it will appear when you unlock your phone. By replacing the notch, Apple has brought the iPhone’s design closer to that of Android phones. However, Apple has done it smartly. The best thing about Dynamic Island is that it can change in size and display additional info.

It will show tiny thumbnails for additional information. For instance, a little album icon will appear on the Dynamic island if you are playing music on your iPhone. Likewise, it will show icons for when there is an AirDrop connection, Apple Pay is accessed, timber, etc.

You can tap and hold the icons or signs on the Dynamic island to interact with them. Thus, it allows you to access supported apps while using another application.

This Dynamic Island was earlier limited to iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. But now, Dynamic Island is also available on iPhone 15 and all its variants.

What can you do with Dynamic Island?

Dynamic Island replaced the notch from earlier iPhone versions. But unlike the notch, Dynamic Island doesn’t only sit there. It stays true to its name, “Dynamic.” This means that it can change size and information as and when required. These changes depend on what you do when you access and enlarge the Dynamic Island.

Dynamic Island can support up to two apps at once. It will expand when you tap and hold the Dynamic Island or swipe it down. When you click on the app currently using Dynamic Island, it will take you to that app.

There are many things you can do with Dynamic Island. Here are some ways to use it:

  • Apple Music: A small album-like icon will appear on Dynamic Island when playing albums from Apple Music. Pressing on this icon will enlarge Dynamic Island, showing all the details of the current song playing. This will include the song’s and artist’s name, visualizer, playback controls, etc.
  • Apple Maps: Dynamic Island will auto-enlarge when you are using Apple Maps, and you have to take a turn to reach your destination.
  • Incoming Calls: When you receive a call, Dynamic Island will enlarge to show the caller’s name and options to receive or end the call.
  • Active Timers: You can see any active timer and its details in Dynamic Island.

Besides the apps listed above, there are several other apps that Dynamic Island supports.

Here’s the list of all the apps Dynamic Island currently supports:

  • Phone
  • Apple Music
  • Maps
  • Clock
  • Voice Memos
  • Apple Pay
  • Spotify
  • Lyft
  • SoundCloud
  • YouTube Music
  • Overcast
  • Flighty
  • Audible

While third-party apps can use Dynamic Island, it is most useful with Apple’s own apps.

Conclusion

Apple has clarified that the iPhone will have Dynamic Island. There is no rumor about whether Apple will continue to use this display screen for all its upcoming models, but that will likely be the case. But besides Dynamic Island, there are many more differences between the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 14.

What is the benefit of the Dynamic Island on iPhone?

Dynamic Island gives easy visibility to the currently running apps. It also allows you to access those apps from anywhere on the iPhone.

Will the iPhone 15 Plus get Dynamic Island?

Both iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Ma, will get Dynamic Island.

Maria is a full-stack digital marketing strategist interested in productivity and AI tools.