Apple's 20th-anniversary iPhone to debut curved four-edge display with two-stage OLED rollout

At a glance:

• Apple's 2027 20th-anniversary iPhone will debut a display that curves down around all four edges, using an MgAg-alloy OLED panel that accepts some image distortion in the curved zones.
• A second generation with indium zinc oxide (IZO) transparent electrodes is planned for 2028 to eliminate brightness loss and uneven color around the curves.
• Samsung Display and LG Display have been put on alert; LG is investing roughly $790 million in OLED infrastructure, while Samsung evaluates whether existing lines can handle the new hardware.

A radical redesign for the milestone iPhone

Apple is reportedly planning one of the most dramatic design overhauls in iPhone history for its 20th-anniversary model in 2027. According to a report from Korea's ETNews, the device will feature a display that curves down around all four edges of the handset, creating a borderless visual experience that eliminates traditional bezels. That would mark the biggest structural shift since the iPhone X in 2017, which removed the Home button, introduced a notched OLED display, and replaced button navigation with intuitive swipe gestures.

Bloomberg first reported in May 2025 that Apple was working on a "mostly glass, curved iPhone without any cutouts in the display" for the commemorative model. The Information later corroborated the story, citing multiple sources who said at least one new iPhone launching in 2027 would have a truly edge-to-edge display. Now ETNews adds the detail that Apple intends to roll out the new OLED technology in two stages rather than jumping straight to the most advanced panel.

The two-stage OLED strategy

For the 2027 variant, Apple will rely on OLED technology that uses a magnesium-silver (MgAg) alloy in the cathode layer. According to the report, this implementation can cause image distortion and brightness loss specifically in the curved areas of the display. Apple appears willing to accept that compromise for the anniversary phone while the more advanced technology matures and scales for mass production.

The follow-up generation, arriving in 2028, will switch to next-generation transparent electrodes using indium zinc oxide (IZO) cathode materials. Because IZO is more transparent than MgAg, it should reduce distortion, uneven brightness, and heat issues around the curved edges while enabling even narrower bezels. The two-stage approach suggests Apple wants the 2027 milestone phone on the market quickly, even if the display isn't yet perfect, and then iterates within roughly a year.

Samsung Display and LG Display in the supply chain

ETNews reports that both Samsung Display and LG Display have been put on alert to prepare for the two-stage rollout. LG recently announced a ₩1.106 trillion investment — roughly $790 million — in OLED infrastructure, and industry observers believe the spending is connected to the development and mass production of the new technology Apple is requesting.

Samsung, meanwhile, is reportedly evaluating whether its existing OLED production lines can accommodate the required hardware for the micro-curved panels. A dedicated production line is not out of the question and may well be necessary given the technical demands of a four-edge curved display. Samsung was also reportedly tapped, per separate supply-chain information out of China, to produce a custom micro-curved OLED panel that is brighter and thinner than existing panels for the 2027 iPhone.

Broader OLED expansion across Apple's lineup

The 20th-anniversary iPhone isn't the only Apple device moving to OLED. ETNews has reported a wave of OLED adoption across the product stack:

• iPad Air models are expected to gain OLED displays in early 2027, with Samsung Display beginning mass production of OLED panels around the end of 2026 or January 2027 to supply the new iPad Air.
• iPad mini and MacBook Pro models are slated to receive OLED displays later in 2026, replacing their current LCD panels with either LED or mini-LED backlighting.
• A custom micro-curved OLED panel — brighter and thinner than existing panels — is said to be sourced from Samsung for the anniversary iPhone.

The move to OLED across multiple form factors would give Apple richer colors, higher contrast ratios with true blacks, and thinner display modules, but each transition brings distinct engineering challenges. The MacBook Pro's larger screen and the iPad mini's compact size each impose different bending and durability constraints compared with a four-edge curved phone display.

What to watch next

The two-stage rollout means consumers should expect a noticeable improvement in display quality within roughly a year of the 2027 launch. If Apple sticks to its historical cadence, the 2028 iPhone generation could ship with the IZO-based transparent electrodes, delivering the distortion-free, truly bezel-less experience the company is reportedly aiming for. Industry watchers will also be monitoring whether Samsung and LG can meet the tight timeline for mass production of the MgAg panels in 2026 and the more advanced IZO panels in 2027.

The investment signals from LG — the $790 million OLED infrastructure spend — suggest the supply chain is already moving. Samsung's decision on whether to retrofit existing lines or build new capacity could shape the availability and cost of these panels. For Apple, the risk is shipping a visually stunning but technically imperfect first-generation curved display, then iterating quickly; for competitors, the 2027 iPhone's design could set a new benchmark that pressures the entire premium smartphone market.

Why the four-edge curve matters

A display that curves around all four edges would eliminate the last visible bezel on the iPhone, creating a seamless glass appearance. That level of integration has been a long-standing goal in smartphone design but has proven extremely difficult to manufacture at scale without warping, cracking, or degrading image quality at the bend points. By accepting some distortion with the MgAg alloy in 2027 and then resolving it with IZO in 2028, Apple appears to be choosing speed to market over perfection on the first try — a strategy that could pay off if the 2027 model generates enough buzz to sustain demand through the 2028 refinement.

The anniversary timing also amplifies the stakes. A 20th-anniversary product is by definition a statement piece, and Apple will likely invest significant marketing behind the design story. Whether reviewers forgive the curved-area compromises in the first generation or criticize them could influence how quickly the company accelerates the transition to IZO panels in 2028.