Samsung Display and LG Display are still working on a new OLED screen for iPhones that have a “zero-bezel” design. This technology was originally planned for iPhones in 2025 or 2026, but it is still being developed. There are some challenges slowing down progress, with Apple and its suppliers in South Korea still testing and discussing the best way to make it work.
What Apple Plans for its Zero-Bezel iPhone Displays and Why It’s So Challenging for Suppliers
Apple’s Plan for Zero-Bezel OLED Apple wants iPhones to have a screen that looks smooth to the edges, like the display on the Apple Watch. This means the screen edges would be flat but curved slightly around the sides, creating a more immersive look. Unlike the curved displays on some Samsung or Xiaomi phones, Apple’s design doesn’t plan for the edges to work as part of the screen.
Challenges Slowing Development Samsung and LG are facing big problems in making this idea work. They need to fix several key issues, such as:
- Thin Film Encapsulation: This technology helps make the screen strong and flexible, especially on the edges.
- Optical Clear Adhesive (OCA): OCA helps glue the screen layers together, but right now it causes blurry visuals when you look at the screen from the side.
- Antennas in the Edges: It’s also hard to fit antennas into the edges of the screen without causing problems.
The delay in improving OCA technology is one of the main reasons why progress is slower than expected.
What Samsung is Doing Despite these challenges, Samsung and LG are working hard to bring Apple’s vision to life. In August 2024, Samsung Display showed it was developing early models of under-panel cameras and zero-bezel OLED displays. However, these models are still in the early stages.
Unclear Launch Dates With the technology still facing many challenges, it’s unlikely that Apple will release iPhones with these advanced OLED screens in 2025 or 2026 as planned. While progress is being made, it’s uncertain whether Apple can meet these original targets.
