A sketchy supply chain report out of Korea claims that the bezel-free display destined for the iPhone 20 is an early iteration of the technology and there is “a possibility of screen distortion.”
The report was updated from an earlier version, which said that Apple was willing to accept a “compromise” on the 2027 model, with a better version planned for 2028 …
The iPhone 20, or 20th anniversary iPhone
Early reporting suggested that we would see a 20th anniversary iPhone next year as a special edition along the lines of the iPhone Air and upcoming iPhone Ultra folding phone. However, subsequent reports indicate that the features rumored for the model may instead feature in the iPhone 20 Pro and Pro Max.
The difference between the two is merely a matter of branding – essentially, how much fuss Apple would make about the new design.
Either way, the design is expected to be a big step forward for the company’s long-term goal of a phone which looks like “a single slab of glass.” It’s said that the display will curve around the edges on all four sides to give at least the impression of a bezel-free screen. In reality, there may be some Apple Watch-style optical illusion going on where the curved edges are not actually part of the display.
‘Possibility of screen distortion’
Supply chain publication ETNews says that Samsung and LG are both gearing up to manufacture the panels for the iPhone 20.
The report suggests that there will be two distinct generations of the tech: one for the 2027 model and another for a 2028 update, but it’s a somewhat confusing story.
The original version of the report said that the 2027 version would include “the possibility of screen distortion,” which would be resolved in the 2028 model. It suggested that Apple was willing to accept the “compromise” of a less than ideal display in order to launch next year. However, an updated version has removed this latter comment. It now reads:
Apple plans to further evolve the ‘4-sided bending’ display, which it plans to apply to the 20th anniversary iPhone next year, in 2028 […]
Currently, the display cathode layer is made of magnesium and gallum alloy (Mg·Ag). In this case, there is a possibility of screen distortion of the 4-sided bending part and the luminosity (luminosity per unit area) decreases. In order to solve the problem, we plan to implement transparent electrodes by replacing the display cathode layer with indium and azenze oxide (IZO) in the 2028 product.
That still appears to be pointing to the 2027 display having a potential issue which will be resolved in the following year’s model, but the language is more cautious.
9to5Mac’s Take
The report seems sufficiently confused that I wouldn’t place too much stock in it at this stage. We’ll obviously get a better idea of the situation nearer the time.
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