Apple's First Bezel-Free iPhone Unlikely to Be Ready for 2026 Launch

[MacRumors]

Apple's plans to create an iPhone with a completely bezel-free display are reportedly facing significant technical challenges, with a new report suggesting that the technology may not be ready by 2026 as previously hoped.

Xiaomi's 2021 Quad-Curved Waterfall Display concept phone​

Apple has seemingly been on a years-long quest to slim down the bezels on its iPhone models until they vanish out of sight, but it looks like the first "zero-bezel" iPhone is still a few years away yet. According to Korean-language outlet The Elec, Apple has been working with Samsung Display and LG Display to develop the revolutionary screen technology, but the work has hit snags.

Apple's vision reportedly differs significantly from existing curved display implementations, such as those previously used in Samsung smartphones or Xiaomi's "quad-curved waterfall display" concept. The iPhone maker is specifically working to avoid the "magnifying glass effect" that typically occurs on curved display edges like those already seen on some smartphones.

In contrast to typical curved-edge phones, Apple is said to envision a unique design that maintains the iPhone's signature flat display and angular sides while extending the screen seamlessly over the edges, similar to the current Apple Watch design. Some industry insiders have reportedly described the intended aesthetic as "pebble-like."

However, the technical challenges apparently remain substantial. Both Samsung Display and LG Display need to adapt two existing technologies, including Thin Film Encapsulation (TFE) for protecting OLED displays from environmental damage, and Optical Clear Adhesive (OCA) for bonding transparent adhesive films around curved edges. The suppliers also need to ensure there's adequate space for components like the iPhone antenna.

The development of OCA technology in particular has reportedly proven troublesome, as the current solutions suffer from side-view distortion issues, and engineers have still to address impact damage concerns for the edge-wrapped display design.

Apple had planned to begin mass production in time for the displays to feature on an iPhone 18 in 2026, but for that to happen, discussions with display manufacturers should have already been finalized by now. However, industry insiders report that these talks are still ongoing, suggesting the timeline for introducing the "zero-bezel" technology on an iPhone will likely slip further into the future.

Article Link: Apple's First Bezel-Free iPhone Unlikely to Be Ready for 2026 Launch

 

[Kylo83]

I want no cut out and no bezel maybe in 2035

 

[840quadra]

FWIW Apple could have done this years ago potentially.

The iPhone X screen (Source Apple)

That Said, I am interested in a screen without a bezel, but have 0% interest in an edge screen like we used to see from Samsung.

Can't count how many times I saw friends shatter theirs in drops my iPhones and Pixels easily survived.

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

The most important thing to focus on first is completely removing the Dynamic Island by placing the camera and Face ID under the display.

 

[sunapple]

This was basically the vision for iPhone from the very start:

Jony believed the iPhone would be all about the screen. In their earliest discussions, the designers agreed that nothing should detract from the screen, which Jony likened to an “infinity pool,” those high-end swimming pools with an invisible edge.

[...]

“Some of our early discussions about the iPhone centered on this idea of… this infinity pool, this pond, where the display would sort of magically appear.”

 

[Marty80]

How about that hideous dynamic island, will it still be included in this bazel free design.

 

[SnowPenguin]

So, does that mean we will keep tapping the edge of screen all the time?

 

[MagicTorch]

It is the time of year for making predictions. So I predict that the 'Bezel-Free' iPhone will debut on the iPhone XX in 2028.

 

[Shauntipson]

Apple's plans to create an iPhone with a completely bezel-free display are reportedly facing significant technical challenges, with a new report suggesting that the technology may not be ready by 2026 as previously hoped.

Xiaomi's 2021 Quad-Curved Waterfall Display concept phone​

Apple has seemingly been on a years-long quest to slim down the bezels on its iPhone models until they vanish out of sight, but it looks like the first "zero-bezel" iPhone is still a few years away yet. According to Korean-language outlet The Elec, Apple has been working with Samsung Display and LG Display to develop the revolutionary screen technology, but the work has hit snags.

Apple's vision reportedly differs significantly from existing curved display implementations, such as those previously used in Samsung smartphones or Xiaomi's "quad-curved waterfall display" concept. The iPhone maker is specifically working to avoid the "magnifying glass effect" that typically occurs on curved display edges like those already seen on some smartphones.

In contrast to typical curved-edge phones, Apple is said to envision a unique design that maintains the iPhone's signature flat display and angular sides while extending the screen seamlessly over the edges, similar to the current Apple Watch design. Some industry insiders have reportedly described the intended aesthetic as "pebble-like."

However, the technical challenges apparently remain substantial. Both Samsung Display and LG Display need to adapt two existing technologies, including Thin Film Encapsulation (TFE) for protecting OLED displays from environmental damage, and Optical Clear Adhesive (OCA) for bonding transparent adhesive films around curved edges. The suppliers also need to ensure there's adequate space for components like the iPhone antenna.

The development of OCA technology in particular has reportedly proven troublesome, as the current solutions suffer from side-view distortion issues, and engineers have still to address impact damage concerns for the edge-wrapped display design.

Apple had planned to begin mass production in time for the displays to feature on an iPhone 18 in 2026, but for that to happen, discussions with display manufacturers should have already been finalized by now. However, industry insiders report that these talks are still ongoing, suggesting the timeline for introducing the "zero-bezel" technology on an iPhone will likely slip further into the future.

Article Link: Apple's First Bezel-Free iPhone Unlikely to Be Ready for 2026 Launch

Maybe try to get ride of the waisted space on the screen I mean do you really need all the space between each icon

 

[Kylo83]

I would love something futuristic from Apple but they are spending to much time on image playground for real innovation

 

[azentropy]

What are the bezels down to now, 2mm? That is good enough. Focus on getting rid of the cutout. And of course a smaller version!

 

[Seanm87]

So, does that mean we will keep tapping the edge of screen all the time?

No it doesn’t.

 

[rymc02]

Not sure why Apple has an obsession with shaving a 1/4mm of bezel off the iPhone every year. The MacBook has relatively huge bezels and Apple never seems to care about those.

 

[bluffalo]

So you can’t pick it up and hold it without touching anywhere that’s not screen…..

 

[SanderEvers]

No it doesn’t.

So the edge of the screen remains unresponsive? Then it's just a gimmick, and not needed.

 

[UltimaKilo]

The most important thing to focus on first is completely removing the Dynamic Island by placing the camera and Face ID under the display.

I can get behind this. The “Dynamic Island” is so intrusive that they would be better off bringing back the notch and shrink it by 1/3rd.

 

[Thomba]

I don't need this. I dont want this. It's a useless gimmick.

 

[Premium1]

They can keep the bezels, would be awesome to get rid of the notch/island.

 

[Cloudyskies22]

So, does that mean we will keep tapping the edge of screen all the time?

Anyone with any intelligence knows that the screen is strictly for immersion on the extreme edge.

You shut off touch sensitivity for the entire 1/8” of border. It is strictly for immersion. There would be zero ‘accidental touches’ because it does not register touch at all.

 

[Cloudyskies22]

I don't need this. I dont want this. It's a useless gimmick.

Sad. It certainly isn’t. It is all about immersion and it’s one of the last things to make smartphones look astronomically better.

 

[Cloudyskies22]

So you can’t pick it up and hold it without touching anywhere that’s not screen…..

You turn off touch for the entire edge. Obviously. It’s for immersion and aesthetic.

 

[Cloudyskies22]

So the edge of the screen remains unresponsive? Then it's just a gimmick, and not needed.

Not a gimmick at all. It offers massive immersion and aesthetic.

The camera control is a gimmick. A full screen phone is not a gimmick. It makes the phone look a million times better and the screen pulls the user in even more due to the maximized immersion.

 

[steve09090]

The most important thing to focus on first is completely removing the Dynamic Island by placing the camera and Face ID under the display.

Yeah. Super important 🙄

I want world peace.

 

[CausticSoda]

So, does that mean we will keep tapping the edge of screen all the time?

Presumably it will be able to work out if you are touching the side of the phone simultaneously and if so, ignore the screen edge touch?

 

[TD540]

Why is Macrumors so focused on bezel-free phones?