The dream of a smartphone that looks like a single, uninterrupted sheet of glass might finally become reality in 2027. New reports suggest that Apple is planning a radical redesign for its 20th anniversary iPhone model. This device could feature a truly bezel-less display and hide all sensors under the screen.
Tech enthusiasts and industry analysts have watched Apple chase this design goal for years. The latest leaks indicate that the company has finally found a way to eliminate borders entirely. This upcoming model could mark the biggest design shift since the launch of the iPhone X.
The Quest for the Perfect Infinity Screen
Smartphone manufacturers have spent the last decade trying to shrink the black borders around our screens. We have seen notches, hole-punches, and dynamic islands. But the ultimate goal remains elusive. A true “all-screen” phone has been impossible to mass-produce with high quality standards until now.
Reports from the supply chain claim the iPhone 20 will achieve zero bezels through advanced manufacturing techniques.
The secret lies in a new type of display technology. Engineers are reportedly using an advanced Thin-Film Encapsulation (TFE) method. This process allows the display panel to bend slightly at the very edges. This bending hides the control circuits that usually sit in the bezel area.
Eliminating the bezel creates a challenge for structural integrity. Bezels act as a shock absorber when a phone drops. Apple is likely testing new glass materials to ensure this bezel-less design does not become too fragile for daily use.
iPhone 20 concept bezel-less display transparent screen futuristic smartphone design
LG Display May Lead the Production Charge
A surprising twist in this story involves the company making the screens. Samsung has been the primary supplier for high-end iPhone displays for a long time. However, rumors indicate that Apple might partner with LG Display for this specific project.
LG is reportedly preparing a massive investment to upgrade its factories. The report suggests an investment of nearly $300 million is on the table. This money will go toward specialized equipment needed for the zero-bezel TFE process.
This shift could signal a change in the display market power dynamic.
- Samsung Display: Currently dominates the market but is heavily focused on foldable technology for its own Galaxy lineup.
- LG Display: Hungry for a larger share of Apple’s business and willing to customize production lines for the iPhone 20.
Apple prefers to have multiple suppliers to keep costs down and innovation up. Handing the keys to LG for the 20th anniversary model would be a massive win for the company. It suggests that LG might have cracked the code on the “under-panel camera” technology better than its rivals.
Hiding the Camera and Face ID Sensors
A bezel-less screen means there is no room for a notch or a Dynamic Island. Apple must move everything under the display. This includes the Face ID sensors and the selfie camera.
We have seen under-display cameras in other phones before. The results have often been disappointing. Photos usually look hazy or blurry because the camera has to see through a layer of pixels. Apple has refused to release this tech until the quality matches a standard camera.
The roadmap to 2027 shows a gradual evolution:
- iPhone 17 (2025): Expected to keep the current Dynamic Island design with minor tweaks.
- iPhone 18 (2026): Rumored to move the Face ID sensors under the display but keep a hole for the camera.
- iPhone 20 (2027): The sensors and the camera both go under the screen for a flawless look.
This timeline aligns perfectly with the 20th anniversary. It gives Apple two more years to perfect the image processing algorithms needed to fix any clarity issues from shooting through the screen.
A Totally Button-Free Experience
The radical redesign might not stop at the screen. The removal of bezels pairs perfectly with another long-standing rumor. The iPhone 20 could be the first device to completely remove physical buttons.
Apple has already started this transition. The move to the “Action Button” and the new “Camera Control” button on the iPhone 16 series shows a shift in thinking. The next logical step is solid-state buttons.
“The goal is a device that feels like a single, seamless artifact. No holes, no buttons, no borders. Just content in your hand.”
Solid-state buttons use haptic feedback to mimic the feel of a click. They do not actually move. This reduces mechanical failure points and improves water resistance. Combining a zero-bezel screen with a button-free body would complete the “glass sandwich” aesthetic that Jony Ive dreamed of years ago.
This design presents valid concerns for users. Physical buttons are easy to find in a pocket or in the dark. A completely smooth phone might be harder to operate by feel alone. Apple will need to use intelligent software and advanced haptics to solve this usability puzzle.
Conclusion
The 20th anniversary of the iPhone arrives in 2027. It represents a major milestone for the device that changed the world. While we are still years away, the supply chain is already moving to make this sci-fi concept a reality. A bezel-less, button-less iPhone would set a new standard for the next decade of mobile computing. It is a bold risk, but one that could redefine premium smartphones once again.
