Apple is reportedly working with Samsung Display on a micro-curved OLED panel for its 20th-anniversary iPhone in 2027, aiming for a near-borderless design where the screen bends around all four edges rather than just the left and right sides. Unlike Samsung’s older “waterfall” displays, the curves here are said to be extremely shallow just enough to hide the bezels and make edge swipes feel natural without distorting the image. The panel is also expected to be thinner and brighter than current OLED displays.
It would mark one of Apple’s biggest redesigns since the iPhone X, fittingly timed to the iPhone’s 20th anniversary a decade after that 10th-anniversary redesign. Whether the phone ends up with zero visible cutouts is still unclear. Apple has reportedly tested an under-display camera, but under-display Face ID may not be ready in time, so a small cutout could still survive into 2027.
The more significant update comes from ETNews: Apple has apparently decided to delay two advanced display technologies that were previously expected on this phone. COE (Color Filter on Encapsulation), which strips out the traditional polarizer for a thinner, more efficient panel, and LTPO+, a newer display-driving technology, are both reportedly being pushed back partly because the tech isn’t mature enough yet, and partly due to rising component costs. Separately, UBI Research has suggested Apple might not bring COE to its mainstream Pro iPhones until 2029.
| Feature | Status |
| Four-sided curved OLED | Still planned |
| Samsung Display involvement | Reported |
| COE OLED | Reportedly delayed |
| LTPO+ | Reportedly delayed |
| Under-display Face ID | Uncertain |
| 2027 launch | Expected |
Crucially, none of this cancels the bezel-free design itself; the four-sided curved display is still reportedly on track for 2027. Apple is also said to be planning a second-generation version of the curved panel for 2028, using transparent IZO-based materials to cut down on distortion, uneven brightness, and heat around the curved edges, with both Samsung Display and LG Display reportedly preparing for that follow-up.
Source: Electronic Times
M Adnan Akram is the founder and lead writer at Phoonomo, covering mobile technology with a primary focus on Apple and the broader smartphone industry, alongside emerging developments in AI. He follows product launches, spec leaks, and industry trends closely to keep readers informed with timely updates.
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