iPhone Zero-Bezel might not launch in 2026

In 2017, Apple initiated the practice of small bezels on its phones. First came the iPhone X, which featured bezels that were significantly narrower than those of its predecessors and competitors. Since then, there hasn't been much of a shift in iPhone design. The notch was also gradually lowered, as were the bezels.

Apple wanted the bezels to get smaller and smaller until they were almost invisible. To make the iPhone with no bezel a reality, Apple has been collaborating with Samsung and LG. But it appears that this ground-breaking iPhone will still be a few years off. The Elec, a Korean news outlet, says that this technology's advancement has been impeded.

iPhone Zero-Bezel Delays

In their manufacturing of displays, LG and Samsung must both implement two current technologies. Transparent adhesive films are bonded around curved edges using optical clear adhesive (OCA), while OLED displays are shielded from environmental harm by thin film encapsulation (TFE). Businesses must put them into practice while still providing enough room for the iPhone's other internal parts.

The OCA technology's problems have been a major factor in the postponement of the zero-bezel iPhone. Side-view distortions are a problem with the existing method. Concerns about impact damage must also be addressed by the engineers. Apple plans to mass-produce these screens in 2026 and integrate them with the iPhone 18 if these problems don't arise.

Apple's technology is designed to be distinct from the zero-bezel phones that are already available on the market. There are a number of problems with phones that now feature zero bezel designs. A magnifying glass distortion effect at the edges, increased fragility, and accidental touching are a few examples. Despite recent improvements from curved to quad-curved displays, they still have a similar set of problems, albeit on a smaller scale.

It also states that Apple's display technology has a distinctive design while maintaining the flat surface and pointy sides that are characteristic of the iPhone. The screen is claimed to flow smoothly over the edges, resembling the design of the present Apple Watch. The intended design was also referred to as "pebble-like" by certain insiders.