Apple’s Quest for the Ideal iPhone: A Zero-Bezel Design Appears Unlikely

In the ever-evolving world of smartphone design, Apple has long strived to achieve what its former design chief Jony Ive famously described as the “holy grail” of mobile technology: a seamless, bezel-free aesthetic resembling a single slab of glass. According to a recent report from TheElec, expectations for the company’s upcoming flagship, the iPhone 18, to fulfill this vision are now looking increasingly uncertain, pushing back the goal for a true zero-bezel device.

Apple’s ambition for a fully encompassing display—one that flows organically from the front into the sides—appears to face significant technical challenges. While the company managed a notable step towards this vision with the launch of the iPhone X back in 2017, which introduced reduced bezel sizes, the journey has since progressed only inch by inch. The existing models still bear visible bezels, leading to debates over whether Apple can substantially evolve the design in the near future.

To achieve its goal, Apple may ultimately need to introduce a display that curiously bends around the device’s edges. This concept has been partially realized in products like the Apple Watch, which employs curved glass to obscure bezels, but the company aspires for a full-functioning display that captures attention across all four sides of the iPhone.

Apple’s competition has taken significant strides in this regard, with Samsung showcasing devices such as the Galaxy Edge series. However, these models retained noticeable “forehead” and “chin” bezels, demonstrating that while the technology moves forward, true bezel-less designs remain elusive.

According to TheElec, Apple aimed for a milestone achievement by 2026 when at least one model of the iPhone 18 could potentially come equipped with this coveted zero-bezel OLED technology. However, delays in technological development by key suppliers, Samsung Display and LG Display, have led to doubts about the feasibility of this ambitious timeline. Once viewed as a target date, industry sources now express skepticism, noting that preparations and technical discussions with panel manufacturers are still ongoing.

One industry official remarked, “If Apple wants to launch a zero-bezel OLED iPhone by 2026, we should have already finished technical discussions with domestic panel companies, but we are still discussing it.” This indicates that while Apple may possess a clear vision, translating that vision into reality requires overcoming practical hurdles, particularly in supply chain capabilities.

While the broader goal of a bezel-less design remains intact, experts anticipate that for the time being, a punch-hole camera may still be integrated into the device. The crucial technology needed to embed front-facing cameras underneath the display might not align with Apple’s rigorous quality standards in the near future, thus relegating the dream of a completely hidden camera to a longer-term prospect.

As Apple’s technological hopes clash with the realities of supply chain capabilities, the company’s journey towards a zero-bezel iPhone continues to be a topic of intrigue for designers and consumers alike. The unresolved issues underline the complexities faced by companies as they strive to innovate while balancing functionality, aesthetics, and manufacturing limitations.