Apple's Zero-Bezel iPhone Faces Roadblock, Launch May Be Delayed After 2026

Apple's ambitious plans for a completely bezel-free iPhone are encountering roadblocks, thus, pushing the launch timeline beyond the initially targeted 2026 release window, says a report by The Elec. This development comes as smartphone manufacturers, including Apple with its iPhone 16 series, continue their pursuit of minimal bezels.

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Industry sources, as reported by The Elec, reveal that discussions with display manufacturing partners Samsung Display and LG Display are still in preliminary stages. Apple's vision involves maintaining their signature flat display and angular design while incorporating a wraparound screen similar to the Apple Watch. 

However, this innovative approach requires overcoming several technical challenges.

The development faces two major technical hurdles. First, manufacturers must perfect thin film encapsulation (TFE) technology to shield OLED displays from environmental damage. Second, they need to develop advanced optical clear adhesive (OCA) processes for secure display bonding. Progress on the OCA technology has been particularly slow.

Design And Integration Challenges

Creating a truly bezel-free display requires revolutionary engineering solutions. The design team must relocate existing OLED bezel circuits beneath the display while addressing antenna placement and interference concerns. Additionally, the integration of an under-display camera system adds another layer of complexity to the development process.

Experts now anticipate the bezel-free iPhone to debut with either the iPhone 18 or iPhone 19 series.