Apple’s Recently Awarded Patent Sheds Light on Its Future Plans for Dynamic Island: Report

Has plans to bring Dynamic Island to a lot more devices.

Written by Sheldon Pinto, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 8 February 2023 12:47 IST

Apple’s Recently Awarded Patent Sheds Light on Its Future Plans for Dynamic Island: Report

Apple’s Dynamic Island feature debuted with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models

Highlights

Apple plans to hide the pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout
All the necessary sensors would be hidden under the display
The sensors could also be used to detect “air gestures”

Apple took care of two problems by announcing its new Dynamic Island feature last year. Dynamic Island serves as a neat cover-up for its Face ID technology, (which Apple has refused to let go off over the years) and makes for a more palatable approach for including a front-facing camera instead of a bucket-shaped display notch. The pill-shaped Dynamic Island, (which actually consists of two display cutouts) also works as a software feature to relay notifications or the status from apps about ongoing activities and tasks. Indeed, this seems like a win-win solution for Apple and its users, but the company has plans to take this feature further as explained in this recently awarded patent.

As per recent leaks and rumours, Apple is looking to hide that pill-shaped cutout (to an extent) by using under-display technology, which is similar in theory to what's available on devices like Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4, letting the company hide its Face ID components to an extent that it does not appear as intrusive as it already is in its current form.

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First reported by 9to5Mac, Patently Apple points out that Apple has won a new patent related to the Dynamic Island feature, along with details about how and where it plans to use this patent across its device lineup.

The patent explains that Apple could place these transparent windows (new Dynamic Island) with one or more sensors at three positions on the display. The patent allows Apple to place this transparent window along the top border, at the corner of the display or even at the centre portion along the top edge of the display. Moreover, it even explains how the area of the window around this transparent display can change its shape and size, which is very similar to the Dynamic Island implementation available on iPhone models available today.

While having the transparent window along the top border makes sense for an iPhone, the other two implementations appear to be meant for other devices in Apple's ecosystem. Apple openly states that the new under-display Dynamic Island implementation could also be meant for its Watch, iPad, and Mac devices as well. It also states the possibility of the feature appearing in eyeglasses, a mixed-reality headset, a heads-up display in a vehicle, and more.

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But there's more. Apple in the patent filing has also reportedly listed down the sensors that could be used for this transparent window. The list also includes some interesting additions like a Touch ID sensor (embedded in a display) or even those for measuring three-dimensional non-contact gestures (“air gestures”) using the same implementation and hardware setup. Other interesting add-ons also include health sensors. Patently Apple explains that the sensors embedded into this transparent window setup could also work with other sensors or hardware available on a device to gather results for a particular feature.

Apple's transparent window or under-display technology appears to work in a manner that is similar to Samsung's implementation of under-display tech. This is done by selectively removing certain pixels in an array, reducing the pixel density and increasing light transmittance, allowing the sensors below to capture necessary visual data.

Samsung's Galaxy S23 series of smartphones was launched earlier this week and the South Korean firm's high-end handsets have seen a few upgrades across all three models. What about the increase in pricing? We discuss this and more on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Very good build quality, IPX8 rated
Software optimised for multitasking
Very good system and gaming performance
All-day battery life
Improved main, telephoto cameras

Bad
Still a bit bulky when folded
Expensive

Read detailed Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review

Display (Primary) 7.60-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1

Front Camera 10-megapixel + 4-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 10-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

Battery Capacity 4400mAh

OS Android 12L

Resolution 2176x1812 pixels

More Samsung mobiles Samsung mobiles price in India

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Further reading: Apple, Dynamic Island, IPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac

Sheldon Pinto

Email Sheldon Pinto

Sheldon Pinto is based in Mumbai, and has several years of experience in reviewing smartphones and gadgets. As a Senior Reviewer at Gadgets 360, you will always find him deeply immersed in his reviews, switching from one phone to another. When the battery dies out, Sheldon is always browsing the web for a good sci-fi movie or reading up on cars and bikes. He also loves creating lists of interesting places to eat and travel. Sheldon is available on Twitter at @shellshocd, and you can mail him at ...More