Bezel-less iPhone: Exciting upgrade not expected in the near future

The ardor for a bezel-free smartphone is as old as the industry itself. Every year, companies try their best to thin the bezels on their flagships as much as they can, with Apple being no stranger to this trend. The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro lineups feature bezels that are slimmer than ever, although decidedly still noticeable.

However, a recent leak appears to throw cold water on the expectations of a bezel-free iPhone to drop by 2026. According to the report by The Elec, the Cupertino giant had originally planned to launch a bezel-free OLED iPhone by 2025 to 2026 - a timeline that now appears exceedingly unfeasible, considering that the technical discussion surrounding the product is still underway and has not terminated.

To achieve a bezel-free display that is according to Apple's tastes, the company's primary display suppliers - Samsung and LG - must resort to developing TFE and OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive) technologies that will allow for the curved edge of the display. Among the problems that exist now, according to The Elec, the primary issue is the durability concern of the display, as well as the side-view distortion problem that is yet to be fixed.

Moreover, the report states that Apple's implementation of a bezel-free display will be radically different from Samsung's curved edge or Xiaomi's "waterfall" style of doing away with bezels. Simply put, Apple does not want the display to extend out to the side of the product, which is most certainly a welcome decision, considering that the aforementioned methods are bound to be prone to accidental touches.

Keeping all the above points and technical hurdles in mind, the possibility of a bezel-free iPhone in 2026 appears very slim. Either way, the report portrays that development is underway and Apple clearly intends to adopt the technology at some point, but those holding out for it might have some more waiting to do.

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