Apple has reportedly approached Samsung and LG Display to develop new OLED display panels for their iPhones, with a specific goal of maintaining the current iPhone design rather than adopting curved displays like some other smartphones. This decision is driven by concerns about potential optical distortion and durability issues associated with curved displays.
According to international media reports, the purpose behind adopting bezel-less displays is to enable improvements in thin film encapsulation (TFE) and under-panel camera (UPC) technology. This move also aims to create more space for internal components like antennas while reducing interference. By sticking to a flat display design, Apple believes it can achieve these enhancements, which would be challenging to implement with a curved display.
The company’s plan indicates that they intend to introduce the bezel-less OLED display in the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro in 2025. This device is rumored to be the first to feature under-display Face ID technology and a hole-shaped cutout for the front-facing camera. Apple is likely aiming for a release before their custom microLED display technology becomes available on the iPhone. The 2025 Apple Watch Ultra is expected to be the first device featuring the custom microLED display, with the iPhone following suit in subsequent years.
Apple’s long-term vision involves gradually reducing the iPhone’s bezels over time until they achieve a completely bezel-less design, utilizing the next-generation OLED panels from Samsung and LG. The upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models are rumored to have the thinnest bezels ever seen on a smartphone, measuring just 1.55mm.