December 26, 2024 – Reports have emerged today confirming that Samsung Display and LG Display are currently developing bezel-less OLED panels that meet Apple’s stringent requirements, with an expected completion date of late 2025.
Apple had originally planned to introduce bezel-less OLED iPhones in 2025 and 2026, but there have been whispers that this ambitious timeline might not be feasible. However, sources close to the matter indicate that Apple is engaged in detailed technical discussions with the Korean display panel manufacturers to pave the way for the launch of these iPhones in 2026.
It is understood that Apple aims for a design akin to the Apple Watch screen, where the display itself is flat with rounded corners, and the screen curves seamlessly around the edges. To achieve this aesthetic, Samsung Display and LG Display are utilizing thin-film encapsulation and optical clear adhesive (OCA) technology to treat the screen edges.
OCA technology, in particular, has been a challenge due to its current limitations, which cause distortion when viewed from certain angles. Additionally, panel manufacturers are grappling with the integration of antennas into the screen’s sides.
This bezel-less OLED panel concept differs significantly from the curved edge screens previously seen on Samsung’s Galaxy phones. Apple’s vision extends the screen to the edges without creating additional display areas, maintaining a clean and continuous visual experience.
Furthermore, during a business forum in Korea this August, Samsung Display hinted at their preparations for a concept device featuring a bezel-less OLED panel alongside an under-display camera, hinting at future innovations in the pipeline.
