Apple iPhone 14 Pro max – Dynamic Island is one of Apple’s most daring design choices in recent years, and the company is known for creating new trends in user experience. It was first seen in the iPhone 14 Pro, where the front camera notch no longer takes up unnecessary space and enables instant access to critical alerts. With Dynamic Island, you can keep track of the time, get alerts when the battery is low, change the music or podcast playing, and more. Beautiful.
The question is whether Dynamic Island enhances use or is only a fancy visual gimmick. Above all, what does it tell us about human-centered design, an area in which we at Arounda are well-skilled?
In this article, our UX experts will explain Dynamic Island Apple, how it facilities, and what businesses can gather from Apple’s approach to seamless, intuitive interactions.
The Dynamic Island: All the Information You Require
Apple’s method of making the iPhone’s notch usable is called Dynamic Island. It’s an interactive area that changes form to convey critical updates (incoming calls, music playing, timers, or directions) instead of a static black cutout. Even more impressive is that it doesn’t interfere with your work.
The top of your screen resembles a miniature dashboard. When necessary, it enlarges (for example, to reveal who is calling) and contracts when you’re finished. Additionally, it enables Live Activities so that you can follow sports results or food deliveries in real time. This is a minor yet significant UX update!
Which iPhone Models Support Dynamic Island?
Is Dynamic Island available on the iPhone 15? Yes, all models come with this basic functionality.
Is Dynamic Island available on the iPhone 14? Not all models. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max were the first to use the Dynamic Island feature. The standard iPhone 14 and 14 Plus lack this capability because it was a Pro-only feature.
What about the upcoming iPhone models?
Except for the iPhone 16e, most iPhone 16 models include Dynamic Island.
According to reports, Dynamic Island will be available on all next iPhone 17 series handsets. However! Improvements in Face ID technology allow Dynamic Island to be smaller. It’s only a rumor.
When we discovered “what is Dynamic Island,” let’s proceed to design. Dynamic Island iPhone 15 and newer models showcase a thoughtful approach to human-centered UI design. In the next section, please find out how its design impacts user interaction.
UI Design of Dynamic Island
IPhone Dynamic Island is a perfect example of human-centered UI design. Apple designed it to be fluid, intuitive, and unobtrusive. Tracking a timer, showing Face ID authentication, or displaying incoming calls? Interactions are distraction-free.
Shape Change
Dynamic Island’s standout feature is its ability to morph into different shapes based on what’s happening on your iPhone.
- It sits at the top of the screen when inactive, blending naturally into the UI.
- It stretches to show information like incoming calls, music controls, or AirPods connectivity.
- It expands into a wider box for more detailed notifications, such as navigation directions or timers
This adaptive shape-shifting keeps essential information within reach without cluttering and provides a more dynamic and responsive feel. You can track your timer activity, pause it, or stop at all while switching to another playing song, pause music, or enter any app’s full versions.
Split Island Functionality
When multiple background activities run simultaneously, Dynamic Island can split into two sections. This feature is called Split Island.
For example, if you’re playing music and using a timer, Dynamic Island will separate them into two floating bubbles so you can see both at a glance. Each section remains interactive, and you can pause music or check the timer without switching apps. It is a perfect solution for multitasking and a great example of how UI design can enhance usability (quickly and clearly).
Dynamic Island Functions
Dynamic Island is an interactive hub that replaces intrusive pop-ups with a more fluid, integrated experience. Notifications can be seen in three states: small app icons, an expanded window after a long press, and a full-screen app. This helps users stay on top of important information without disrupting their main tasks (from notifications to live updates and app integrations).
Managing Alerts and Notifications
Notifications are less disruptive yet always visible. It displays:
- Incoming calls (expand to answer or decline)
- Face ID authentication (quick confirmation animation)
- Apple Pay transactions (with real-time status)
- Silent mode and charging indicators
- Find My notifications
- AirDrop file transfer status
- Privacy indicators for microphone or camera in use (green dot appears while the camera is on and orange while the microphone is on)
- Low battery alerts
- AirPods connection status and battery state
- Car key (if it was added to your Apple Wallet) locking and unlocking
- Airplane mode alert
- Apple Watch unlocking
- SIM card alerts
- AirPlay connections
- Focus mode changes
- Shortcut acts
- LED Flash alerts
- Near-field communication (NFC) notifications
- Background Activities
Instead of opening full apps, users can monitor background tasks directly in Dynamic Island, such as:
- Music playback (with album art and controls)
- Screen Recording
- Timers and stopwatches
- Navigation directions (Apple Maps, Google Maps)
- Voice memo recordings
- Incoming call notification
- Phone call duration
- Live Activities (sports and fitness scores, ride-sharing updates, food deliveries)
- Personal Hotspot connection
- SharePlay sessions
Here are two examples of Live Activity (fitness) and navigation directions.
Third-Party App Integration
Apple has opened Dynamic Island to third-party developers. These integrations enhance user experiences with timely information and interactive elements directly within the iPhone’s interface.
Popular apps already using it include:
- Media and audio control (Spotify, YouTube Music).
- Ride-hailing and travel updates (Uber, Lyft, Flighty, and airline apps).
- Food delivery and order tracking (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Deliveroo).
- Live sports and score updates (ESPN, MLB).
- Health and fitness tracking (SmartGym, Hevy, Slopes, Steps).
- Productivity and finance tools (MoneyCoach Budget & Spendings, Calzy).
- Weather updates (Carrot Weather).
- Games and interactive experiences (Hit The Island, Pixel Pals).
- Cooking and recipes (Pestle).
Pros and Cons
This feature is a thoughtful evolution of UI/UX design but has benefits and drawbacks as any relatively new feature. Let’s break them down from our expert UX perspective.
What’s New in Dynamic Island for iOS 18?
Enhancements in iOS 18 make Dynamic Island a more integral and versatile component of the iPhone interface.
Conclusion
Dynamic Island’s functional, motion and context-aware design transforms users’ engagement with notifications, background tasks, and live updates. Each iOS update only gets more innovative, interactive, and intuitive.
We know great user experiences don’t happen accidentally. They remain crafted with deep insight, foresight, and a persistent focus on the end user. That’s why we stay ahead of manufacturing shifts, constantly researching, testing, and implementing the latest mobile UI/UX design innovations.
Let’s make it happen if you’re considering building an intuitive, engaging, and future-ready numerical product. Contact us today to create products that users truly enjoy.
