Apple is prepping special micro-curved OLED display for future iPhones, report says
Apple is reportedly developing a more advanced curved OLED display for future iPhones. These purported iPhones could roll out in 2027 to mark 20 years of the iPhone.
Apple’s future iPhone could come with major display upgrade. A new report suggests that the company is already working on a more advanced version of its rumoured “four-sided bending” OLED display, expected to appear on a 2028 iPhone model. The goal is reportedly to reduce bezels even further while fixing issues like brightness drop and screen distortion around curved edges. To make this possible, Apple is said to be discussing a new OLED material technology with Samsung Display and LG Display, two of its key panel suppliers.
What the report is saying
Right now, OLED panels in smartphones use a magnesium-silver alloy layer inside the display. According to the ET News, this material can create problems when the screen bends too much around the edges. In devices with ultra-curved displays, this may lead to slight image distortion or lower brightness near the corners and sides.
To solve this, Apple is reportedly exploring a new material called Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO). This material is more transparent, which means it can allow light to pass through more efficiently. In simple terms, Apple wants future iPhone displays to look cleaner and brighter even when the screen curves aggressively around all four edges.
Why this matters for future iPhones
The report also connects this technology to Apple’s rumoured 20th anniversary iPhone, expected in 2027. That device is said to feature a “four-sided bending” display, meaning the OLED panel curves subtly across all sides to create an almost bezel-free look.
The 2028 model could take this concept even further with improved display quality and fewer visual compromises. Apple reportedly wants to minimise bezels without sacrificing brightness, durability, or image clarity.
Samsung and LG are already preparing
The report claims that both Samsung Display and LG Display have started preparing for this shift. LG Display recently announced a large OLED infrastructure investment, which industry sources believe could be linked to this next generation display technology.
Samsung Display is also reportedly considering new production investments because the required manufacturing process may not fit easily into existing OLED production lines.
While Apple has not officially confirmed any of these plans, so you can take this information with a pinch of salt.