Apple is reportedly developing a new flagship iPhone that will offer little to no bezels. The device is currently in the early stages of development and was expected to see the light in 2026, but a new report from South Korea suggests it is facing delays. Apple and other Android smartphone manufacturers are promoting new smartphones with slimmer bezels. The latest iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models boast slimmer bezels than their predecessors.
Apple had hoped to release a zero-bezel iPhone in 2026
The Elec (Korean) reports, citing multiple industry sources, that Apple’s zero-bezel OLED iPhone may not be released until 2026. The technology to completely eliminate bezels from iPhone screens is reportedly not yet fully developed. The brand was reportedly planning to launch a bezel-less OLED iPhone by 2026. The publication said that this schedule does not appear to be achievable at the moment, given that technical discussions with domestic panel manufacturers Samsung Display and LG Display are still ongoing.
Apple reportedly wants to use a zero-bezel display that maintains the current flat display and angular iPhone design. However, similar to the Apple Watch’s display, the screen is designed to flow to the side of the product. To achieve this, Samsung Display and LG Display will need to develop thin film encapsulation (TFE) technology that protects OLEDs from moisture and oxygen. It also requires an optical clear adhesive (OCA) process to apply the clear double-sided adhesive film. The development of OCA technology is said to be slow.
To implement a zero-bezel display, all existing iPhone OLED bezel circuitry must be folded under the display. To do this, you need to make space for the antenna and solve interference problems. Additionally, other design changes, such as the adoption of under-display camera systems, may also impact the development of new screens.
If Apple succeeds in developing a bezel-free iPhone, we can expect the iPhone 18 or iPhone 19 to be the first bezel-free models. The new design is expected to offer a true full-screen bezel-less display and an under-display camera system.
