Apple’s rumoured 20th anniversary iPhone could already be getting a curved-screen redesign

Our list of the best iPhones could be in for quite a shake-up if rumours about Apple’s upcoming 20th anniversary iPhone – with a screen that wraps around all four edges – are true. And while the phone itself is nothing more than rumours and whispers, fresh news is already speculating about its successor.

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A report from Korea’s ETNews claims that Apple is working on the radically redesigned handset ahead of its reported launch in 2027. And if the leak is accurate, the follow-up model arriving a year later could address some of the technical compromises linked to the futuristic design.

The 2027 device is widely expected to be one of Apple’s boldest iPhone redesigns in years. Multiple reports have pointed towards a “mostly glass” handset with a display that curves around all four edges, creating a near-borderless appearance with no visible cutouts.

According to ETNews, Apple plans to launch the new display technology in two stages. The first-generation version arriving in 2027 will reportedly use OLED panels featuring a magnesium-silver alloy cathode layer. That approach reportedly comes with drawbacks, including potential brightness inconsistency and image distortion around the display edges.

Crucially, according to the source, Apple is reportedly willing to live with those compromises to get the new design out the door for the anniversary model. The more refined version would then arrive in 2028, where Apple plans to switch to indium zinc oxide (IZO) cathode materials for the second-generation display.

If true, the upgrade should, in theory, improve transparency and reduce distortion in the curved sections. The newer setup could also allow even slimmer bezels while improving brightness consistency around the edges.

The report also says that both Samsung Display and LG Display are already preparing for the rollout. LG recently announced a multi-million dollar OLED manufacturing investment that industry watchers reportedly believe is tied to Apple’s future display plans, while Samsung is said to be evaluating whether it needs entirely new production lines for the panels.

As always with leaks this far out, there’s plenty of room for plans to change – and none of this may even see the light of day. But colour me intrigued, nonetheless…

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Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.