A new report from Korea suggests that Apple's planned bezel-less display for the 2027 iPhone anniversary model may still have weaknesses in its first generation. Specifically, the report mentions a "possibility of image distortion" at the curved edge – an indication that the more refined version is expected to follow a year later.
The report comes from the South Korean industry publication ETNews, which has close ties to Apple's display suppliers in Korea. According to the report, both Samsung and LG are preparing to produce the panels for the upcoming iPhone model – a device that, according to previous reports, will be released to coincide with the iPhone's 20th anniversary and, with its curved glass surface on all four sides, will visually stand out significantly from previous special editions like the planned iPhone Ultra. However, the reliability of the claims regarding image quality remains unclear – we consider the report itself to be "preliminary."
What the report specifically says
The report is an updated version of an earlier ETNews article that accused Apple of a deliberate "compromise" with the first Anniversary model. The new version mentions a "possibility of image distortion" in the 2027 rollout – but without clearly specifying where on the display this distortion might occur or how severe it would be.
One thing is clear: According to the report, Apple is planning two generations of its "Four-Edge-Bending" technology. The first iteration is slated for 2027, and the second, significantly improved version for 2028. Both versions are expected to bend the glass downwards on all four edges to create the impression of a completely borderless display.
Anniversary iPhone or iPhone 20 Pro?
Reports vary on the model name. Early rumors predicted a standalone 20th-anniversary model – similar to the iPhone Air or the upcoming iPhone Ultra. Later reports place the new design features more on the regular iPhone 20 Pro and 20 Pro Max.
The difference ultimately comes down to marketing: If Apple were to actively use the Anniversary branding, a special edition model would be released; without this branding, the curved displays would be part of the regular Pro line. In terms of features, the design leap remains identical in both scenarios.
The long-term goal: an iPhone as a "glass screen"
The planned display design fits into a vision Apple has pursued for years: an iPhone that appears as a single sheet of glass. The four-sided curvature is intended to bring this vision closer to reality than anything Apple has implemented so far. However, reports suggest that the curved edges may not be part of the actual display area, but rather create an optical illusion, similar to the Apple Watch – visibly framed, but without any actual pixels.
This is precisely where the skepticism in the ETNews report begins: If Apple were actually attempting to actively utilize the display all the way to its curved edges, a distortion of the image content at the edges would be technically understandable. If, instead, Apple were to rely on an optical illusion solution, the distortion issue wouldn't even arise. Which of the two scenarios the report refers to remains unclear – a key weakness of the piece.
Why the report should be treated with caution
ETNews has had a mixed track record with Apple rumors in the past – reports from sources close to Korean display suppliers are primarily accurate when it comes to production launches and manufacturer allocation. Assessments of the image quality of a display that hasn't yet been finalized don't fall into this category. The idea that Apple would deliberately release a premium anniversary product with image distortion at the edges seems particularly incompatible with the quality standards that Apple must necessarily uphold for an anniversary model.
A more realistic scenario is that Apple is internally testing various display specifications and that suppliers are already differentiating between a feasible first iteration and a more complex subsequent version. Such two-stage rollouts are not unusual in Apple's hardware history – the ProMotion display, for example, initially appeared only in the iPad Pro before making its way into the iPhone and MacBook Pro years later.
What this means for the 2027 generation
Should the report prove true, the 2027 iPhone would be the most technologically ambitious model in years – and simultaneously one whose buyers might have to live with minor visual quirks. Those primarily focused on the design statement of the anniversary model will likely be able to overlook such details. However, those expecting a technically flawless anniversary device might be better off with the 2028 update.
Until the report is corroborated by further sources, this interpretation remains speculation. More detailed leaks regarding suppliers, production start, and final branding are expected in the coming months – the display issue will remain one of the most intriguing aspects leading up to the Anniversary iPhone.
Apple's biggest design leap is imminent
Whether as the iPhone 20, iPhone 20 Pro, or a standalone Anniversary model, the device Apple and its Korean display partners are currently working on could represent the most noticeable departure in iPhone design since the iPhone X. The fact that potential weaknesses of the first generation are already being discussed before its market launch is typical pre-release hype—an indication of just how much buzz is already building around this topic. (Image: Shutterstock / Anna Hoychuk)
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