As Apple prepares to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iPhone in 2027, the tech giant is reportedly planning a radical redesign that aims to fulfill a long-standing vision: creating a smartphone that looks and feels like a seamless slab of glass.
According to a new report from Korean outlet ET News, Apple’s key display partners — Samsung Display and LG Display — are actively developing four-sided bending display panels. These cutting-edge screens are designed to wrap around all edges of the device, potentially eliminating all visible bezels. This would mark the most dramatic visual transformation in the iPhone’s history and align with Apple’s minimalist design ethos.
Inspired by Jony Ive’s Vision
This redesign is deeply rooted in Apple’s industrial design philosophy, heavily influenced by former Chief Design Officer Jony Ive, who envisioned an iPhone as a pure slab of glass — uninterrupted by bezels, buttons, or notches. Though Ive left Apple in 2019, his ideas continue to resonate within the company’s design team.
The 2027 iPhone is also rumored to feature an under-display camera, which would eliminate the punch-hole or notch completely. This aligns with Apple’s push toward an uncluttered, full-screen experience, likely to debut in its Pro or Ultra lineup.
Solid-State Battery Breakthrough
In addition to the display innovation, Apple is reportedly working on integrating solid-state battery technology into the 2027 iPhone. These advanced batteries will use 100% silicon for the cathode material, replacing traditional graphite and potentially offering:
- Higher energy density
- Faster charging times
- Longer battery life
- Improved thermal efficiency
Solid-state batteries have long been considered a game-changing innovation in the mobile and electric vehicle sectors. Apple has already started testing this technology in smaller accessories, such as MagSafe battery packs, and its successful integration into the iPhone would represent a major leap forward in mobile power management.
Foldable and Pro Variants Also in Development
The 2027 iPhone lineup may also include a foldable version, as hinted in earlier reports by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. A new Pro model could showcase more aggressive use of glass and other premium materials, signaling Apple’s ongoing strategy to offer differentiated hardware tiers across its product family.
Design Talks Already Underway
According to ET News, design collaboration meetings between Apple and its display suppliers are already taking place, underscoring the company’s seriousness about bringing this bold vision to life by 2027.
If Apple succeeds in combining a bezel-free, all-glass design with solid-state battery innovation, the 2027 iPhone may become the most futuristic and ambitious iPhone since the original device was unveiled by Steve Jobs in 2007.
