Apple is reportedly developing a “four-edge bending” display that will wrap around all sides of the iPhone, creating a truly borderless visual experience for the smartphone’s 20th anniversary in 2027 (via MacRumors).
However, according to supply chain sources, this radical redesign will arrive in two distinct stages as Apple works to perfect the technology.
The 2027 iPhone is expected to be the most significant design shift since the 10th anniversary iPhone X. For years, Apple has leaned into flat displays, but the upcoming “micro-curved” OLED panel aims to eliminate bezels entirely. By bending the screen on all four sides, Apple hopes to create a device that feels like a continuous piece of glass.
Although the vision is bold, the first iteration in 2027 may come with some technical compromises. Current reports indicate that the initial rollout will utilize a magnesium-silver (MgAg) alloy for the cathode layer of the OLED panel. While this material is a standard in the industry, applying it to such extreme curves can lead to slight image distortion and loss of brightness at the very edges of the display.
Apple is apparently aware of these early limitations and is already planning a “Stage 2” upgrade for 2028. The goal for the following year is to transition to a more advanced Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO) cathode material. Because IZO is more transparent than the magnesium-silver alloy, it is expected to solve the distortion and brightness issues while allowing for even thinner bezels.
This two-stage strategy is largely driven by manufacturing scale. Apple’s primary display partners, Samsung Display and LG Display, are reportedly investing billions into new infrastructure to support this shift.
LG Display alone recently announced a major investment in OLED facilities believed to be tied to this new production requirement. By starting in 2027 with available technology, Apple can test the form factor while the supply chain prepares the more advanced IZO equipment for a wider 2028 release.
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Curved displays were a horrible, unusable failure for Samsung. Seems Apple is setting themselves up for similar problems.