Revolutionizing Displays: The Future of Quad-Curved All-Screen Design in 2027

Reports from the supply chain in China suggest that Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone will feature a custom micro-curved OLED display that is thinner and brighter than current panels.

It is rumored that Apple is planning a radical new design for its 2027 iPhone model, which will have a bezel-less display that curves around all four edges of the device. This design is intended to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the iPhone’s launch in 2007.

To achieve this design, Apple is said to be working with Samsung to source an equal-depth quad-curved panel design with “micro-curves” that are more subtle than previous curved edges seen on Samsung’s flexible panels.

The decision to opt for slightly-rounded edges may be aimed at creating a device that feels more comfortable in the hand and enhances the user experience with swipe gestures from the edge of the display.

Recent leaks from Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station suggest that Apple is looking to incorporate a “pol-less” display from Samsung, which eliminates the polarizing layer used on current OLED screens.

Earlier reports from South Korea indicated that Samsung would be the display supplier for the 2027 iPhone, with the development of a thinner and brighter OLED technology known as COE (Color Filter on Encapsulation).

COE displays do away with the traditional polarizing film on OLED panels and instead apply the color filter directly onto the encapsulation layer, allowing more light through and improving display brightness while using less power.

Apple is also expected to introduce a new anti-reflective coating to address reflections on the screen, while a crater-shaped light diffusion layer will help even out the display’s brightness.

For the 20th-anniversary iPhone in 2027, Apple is speculated to launch a high-end all-glass model without any cutouts in the display.

While there are expectations for an under-the-display Face ID system, some analysts believe it may not be ready by 2027, potentially leading to a design with a small hole-punch cutout for the front-facing camera.

It has been suggested that the screen design of the iPhone 18 Pro will remain unchanged for the 2027 model, with gradual improvements expected in future iterations.

According to Ross Young, not all Face ID components will be under a transparent area of the display, resulting in a smaller notch. This design is likely to continue through 2026 and 2027.

While a completely notch-free display may be on the horizon, it is expected to take a few more years before the technology is ready for mass production. Apple may first move the remaining Face ID sensors under the screen before integrating the main selfie camera under the glass.

[The information presented in this article is based on speculation and has not been confirmed by Apple. All rumors should be taken with caution.]