If you’re an Apple fan, you’ve probably dreamed of getting your hands on an iPhone with a bezel-less screen. This, present only in the imagination of users, is still far from becoming a reality, but it is getting closer, and we can already guess when it will arrive.
According to a recent report from the Korean media The Electhe company’s plans to launch this revolutionary design in 2026 face significant technical obstacles, which could delay its arrival to the market.
iPhone without frames in 2027
So, we have a panorama that is not entirely positive, and that although they were expected for 2026, which would correspond to the iPhone 18, now everything indicates that we will not see them until iPhone 19 in 2027.
Apple has been working to keep the edges of its iPhones to a minimum for some time, but the jump to a device built completely without bezels presents unique challenges that they have never faced. The company is collaborating with Samsung Displayamong other brands, in the development of screen technology that allows visible frames to be completely eliminated, but progress has been slower than expected.
Unlike other manufacturers that have opted for curved screens to minimize or make the edges disappear, Apple is looking for a different approach, as it intends maintain aesthetics traditional of its flat screen and the angular edges that are so characteristic of the iPhone, extending the panel on the sides in a similar way to what has been seen on the Apple Watch.
However, the technical problems They are there. Apple suppliers must adapt two key technologies to achieve this design. On the one hand, the Thin Film Encapsulation (TFE), which protects OLED screens from environmental damage, and on the other, Optical Clear Adhesive (OCA), necessary to bond the films around the curved edges.
Apple wants to present a product better than the rest
In particular, OCA technology is posing major problems for Apple engineers. Current prototypes present distortions when viewing the screen from certain angles, and the impact resistance of the adhesive continues to be one of the pending issues. Additionally, the guys at Tim Cook must find a way to integrate essential components like the iPhone’s antenna without compromising the design or functionality of the device.
Apple had hoped to begin mass production of these displays in time for them to debut on the iPhone 18 in 2026. However, reports suggest that negotiations with manufacturers have not yet concluded, making it unlikely that this ambitious design will arrive in that term.
The complexity of this project is not surprising considering Apple’s meticulous approach to implementing new technologies. The company seeks to avoid the problems of curved screens already seen in Samsung or Xiaomi devices, such as the “magnifying glass effect”, which distorts the edges of the image.
Although the borderless design could take several more years to arrive, this delay underscores Apple’s commitment to offering an innovative and functional solution, rather than simply following design trends. For now, users will have to wait a little longer to see this “futuristic” iPhone.
