Apple is reportedly working with Samsung on a custom micro-curved OLED display for the iPhone 20, a device intended to mark the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone in 2027, according to multiple supply chain leaks.
The display is said to feature a four-sided subtle micro-curve — a shallow quad-curved design that avoids the aggressive “waterfall” edges seen on some current Samsung panels — while aiming to create the visual effect of a bezel-free screen without increasing accidental touches during handling.
Apple is also pursuing a “pol-less” display by removing the polarizer layer, a move that aligns with Samsung’s COE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) technology, which applies the color filter directly onto the encapsulation layer to reduce thickness, improve brightness, and lower power consumption.
To counteract potential reflection issues from the missing polarizer, Apple is reportedly adding an improved anti-reflective coating and employing a crater-shaped light diffusion layer to ensure uniform brightness across the screen.
The broader goal, as described by sources, is a high-end all-glass iPhone with no display cutouts — a realization of former design chief Jony Ive’s long-held vision of a “single slab of glass.”
However, achieving this remains uncertain. Display analyst Ross Young told MacRumors that under-display Face ID may not be ready for the 2027 model, though other leakers suggest Apple could still implement it alongside a small hole-punch cutout for the front camera if full integration proves unfeasible.
Apple is also reportedly testing an under-display front camera for 2027, keeping that option open as part of its effort to eliminate all visible notches or punch holes.
While the iPhone 20 is expected to launch in fall 2027, it remains unclear whether these radical design changes will be limited to a premium model or extended across the entire lineup.
Beyond the display, sources indicate the device will likely include performance and battery improvements, as well as enhanced imaging capabilities, though specific details remain scarce.
If adopted, Samsung’s involvement could influence its own product roadmap, with India Today noting the company may use a similar panel in its Galaxy S28 lineup in 2028.
The project reflects Apple’s ongoing push to refine the physical interaction with its devices — making the phone feel softer in the hand, improving edge swipe responsiveness, and reducing visual distortion at the screen’s periphery.
Will the iPhone 20 have a notch or hole-punch for the front camera?
Apple is testing both under-display Face ID and an under-display front camera for 2027, but if those aren’t ready, it may use a small hole-punch cutout for the camera while keeping Face ID under the display.
When is the iPhone 20 expected to launch?
The iPhone 20 is expected to launch in the fall of 2027, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the original iPhone’s release.
