The dream of an all-glass iPhone will have to wait a bit longer

AppleInsider

The iPhone 18 may become the first model to be bezel-free, but development of the all-glass iPhone is hitting some snags.

Current iPhones have a bezel around the display

The iPhone, like many other smartphones, offer users a large display but with a small border around the outside. While the bezel has been minimized over the years, it may become a thing of the past by the iPhone 18.

According to sources of TheElec, Samsung Display and LG Display are working on OLED screens that don't have bezels. Both companies are key members of Apple's display supply chain, and the work is apparently being performed at Apple's request.

Multiple report sources said on Tuesday that there are ongoing talks over the display technology. But, while a 2026 introduction of the display was planned, that may not necessarily happen to the expected schedule.

"If Apple wanted to release a zero-bezel OLED iPhone in 2026, it would have to have already concluded technical discussions with domestic panel manufacturers, but they are still in discussions," one source explained. The continued talks mean that it's unclear if a 2026 release using the technology will actually happen.

A new screen design and technology

The belief is that Apple wants to use a zero bezel display that maintains the current flat display and angular iPhone design. However, the screen is intended to flow down the sides of the iPhone, in a similar way to the Apple Watch display.

To accomplish this, Samsung Display and LG Display have to create thin film encapsulation (TFE) processes to protect the OLED panel from moisture and oxygen. They also need an optical clear adhesive (OCA) technology for bonding the panel with a clear double-sided adhesive film that works with the curved elements of the display, while maintaining space for other components.

The OCA technology's development is apparently a stumbling block, due to the existence of distortion issues when viewed from the side. Apple apparently doesn't want the magnifying glass effect that some curved-edge Samsung smartphones had when using a similar display.

There is also the issue of strength, with the flowing edges introducing weakpoints affected by external impacts.

Other design changes may also impact the development of the new screen, including the possibility of an under-panel camera system, which a Samsung Display official confirmed was being worked on in August. An under-screen Face ID system has previously been rumored about for the iPhone 18.

Previously, it was rumored that Samsung was going to use blue phosphorescent materials in OLED panels to reduce power consumption. The change could result in considerably longer battery life for the iPhone, before taking into account any other performance improvements.

Rumor Score: Possible

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daalseth

the screen is intended to flow down the sides of the iPhone, in a similar way to the Apple Watch display.

OK, but what about a case? Cases cover the sides up to the edge of the screen. If the screen wraps a distance down the side you either cover it with the case, or the case is less protective. This is a concern because as you said:

There is also the issue of strength, with the flowing edges introducing weak points affected by external impacts.

Honestly I don’t mind a narrow bezel around the screen. 

charlesn

DAalseth said:

There is also the issue of strength, with the flowing edges introducing weak points affected by external impacts.

Literally my first thought. iPhones get dropped on a regular basis--Apple Watches do not. And if this design element requires a wraparound case to protectively cover the flowing edges, what's the point? Also note that the Watch is viewed on your wrist from various obtuse angles, so the flowing edges make sense. But with an iPhone, you're usually staring at the screen head-on, so what's the point of these flowing edges? Honestly, the bezels are now so thin as to be barely visible, so eliminating them will make little visual or practical difference. What really needs to be gone is the giant Black Hole at the top center of the screen, a/k/a Dynamic Island. Get rid of that eyesore and the feeling of an "all screen" iPhone will increase exponentially, no flowing edges required. 

emoeller

Cases aren't an issue for me.... For years I've been rocking an ARC minimalist case.  Dropped my phones dozens of times without damage.  They slip easily in and out of my pocket.  Only issue is they are a bit heavy, but not any more than a regular case.   I still have an Apple battery pack (discontinued) that I use with my 16P and it just barely fits with the ARC casehttps://arc.cc/

pema

In ten years time it will yet be another phone from Apple, iPhone 33. It will look similar to iPhone 16 and all the phones preceding it, make phone calls, take pictures and run apps and oh yes the keyboard will be bloody awful. 

Nothing radically new on the horizon. Still milking the Steve Jobs vision. 

And it twenty years time, you guessed it, iPhone 55. Doing pretty much the same. 

zimmermann

Pema said:

In ten years time it will yet be another phone from Apple, iPhone 33. It will look similar to iPhone 16 and all the phones preceding it, make phone calls, take pictures and run apps and oh yes the keyboard will be bloody awful. 

Nothing radically new on the horizon. Still milking the Steve Jobs vision. 

And it twenty years time, you guessed it, iPhone 55. Doing pretty much the same. 

What is your problem?

williamlondon

zimmermann said:

Pema said:

In ten years time it will yet be another phone from Apple, iPhone 33. It will look similar to iPhone 16 and all the phones preceding it, make phone calls, take pictures and run apps and oh yes the keyboard will be bloody awful. 

Nothing radically new on the horizon. Still milking the Steve Jobs vision. 

And it twenty years time, you guessed it, iPhone 55. Doing pretty much the same. 

What is your problem?

A child who thinks being a troll is cool. Put on ignore list.

mikefs

An all glass iPhone is not my dream.

eriamjh

The slab is the ideal form.   The technology doesn’t exist for a different form that is more ideal.   

Ever watch The Expanse?   Their phones are clear acrylic with a small  base to hold.     Looks cool on screen,  but seeing background objects through your display sucks!  

Same goes for cool holographic projection phones.   Looks great on screen for tech effects, but would suck in reality in any well-lit room or outside.   

mplsp

MikeFS said:

An all glass iPhone is not my dream.

Same here - I read the headline and wondered who’s been dreaming?

I completely agree with @DAalseth - the trivial bezel that the phone currently has never caused me to think twice. 

alex1n

MikeFS said:

An all glass iPhone is not my dream.

For me it would be a waking nightmare. My previous phone was a 12 Pro Max which had its back glass destroyed by the very case (an Apple one) that was supposed to protect it. The hard-plastic lens bumper did the damage - I can imagine what would happen to an all-glass version. I at least made sure that  this time that I attached AppleCare+ to my new 16 PM…

edited December 2024

gagarin

zimmermann said:

Pema said:

In ten years time it will yet be another phone from Apple, iPhone 33. It will look similar to iPhone 16 and all the phones preceding it, make phone calls, take pictures and run apps and oh yes the keyboard will be bloody awful. 

Nothing radically new on the horizon. Still milking the Steve Jobs vision. 

And it twenty years time, you guessed it, iPhone 55. Doing pretty much the same. 

What is your problem?

I guess math

qwerty52

Pema said:

In ten years time it will yet be another phone from Apple, iPhone 33. It will look similar to iPhone 16 and all the phones preceding it, make phone calls, take pictures and run apps and oh yes the keyboard will be bloody awful. 

Nothing radically new on the horizon. Still milking the Steve Jobs vision. 
And it twenty years time, you guessed it, iPhone 55. Doing pretty much the same. 

Are you expecting an iPhone, that’s able to make also a pop corn or maybe a pizzas?